View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who realizes Rand's identity?

2. Why is Nynaeve angry after hearing about the warder?

3. How long does Reanne give Nynaeve and Elayne to get out of the city?

4. What does Balwer tell Morgase?

5. Where was Moghedien pulled after the a'dam collar is removed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Whom does Mat find in his room and whom does he realize the person is?

2. What does Elayne tell the women in the Circle that causes much emotion?

3. What does Beslan say to Mat about Beslan's mother, Tylin, and how does Mat feel about what Beslan says?

4. What does Birgitte say to Mat when he asks how she got there?

5. What happens as Nynaeve is on a boat to go meet with the Sea Folk?

6. What is one way Tylin forces Mat to accede to her will?

7. What happens to Rand during the fighting, though at first it seems insignificant?

8. Describe Nynaeve and Lan's first interaction since he arrived in Ebou Dou.

9. How does Elayne get drunk?

10. Describe the interaction between Rand and Caraline Damodred and Darlin Sisnera.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or ideas that are not a part of the "real" world. In the case of "A Crown of Swords", much of the setting may seem familiar to the reader (i.e. there are woods, mountains, rivers, oceans, etc.), though there are new ideas and terms to learn. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of the world of "A Crown of Swords" that occur in the "real" world but are used differently in "A Crown of Swords".

2. Define the words as used in the world of "A Crown of Swords" and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language.

3. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the world of "A Crown of Swords". Did you have to look up any words? What does it mean to learn a word through its context? Do you have to do that in "A Crown of Swords"? What word(s)?

4. Were there any words you never really understood from "A Crown of Swords"? Which ones?

Essay Topic 2

The word "ta'veren" is used frequently in "A Crown of Swords" and in all the other books in Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Discuss the following:

1. Explain the concept of ta'veren and give examples of it to illustrate your explanation.

2. Do you think Jordan uses instances of ta'veren as a narrative contrivance? Why? Give examples to support your stance.

3. How do you think the concept of ta'veren adds to the complexity of the novel? Explain using examples.

Essay Topic 3

As in many fantasy novels, magic is an inherent part of a few of the characters and can be wielded by other characters, though not as an inherent aspect of their nature. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the use of magic/channeling source in "A Crown of Swords". Who possesses the ability to channel source as an inherent aspect of their nature? How does the inequality between those who can channel and those who can impact the plot of "A Crown of Swords"?

2. Why do you think magic exists in so many fantasy novels? Do you think a novel can be "fantasy" and there be no magic as a part of the storyline? Why?

3. Would you desire to possess the ability to use magic if there were such a talent in our world? Why? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of possessing such an ability?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,340 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample