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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Sioned want to do when she first reaches the murder scene of her father?

2. During Vespers, whom does Prior Robert warn the townspeople about as a threat to get his way?

3. After Prior Robert attempts to bribe Rhisiart to get approval for his proposal, how does Father Huw treat Prior Robert?

4. Who is Sioned supposed to marry?

5. What does Cal mean when he tells Brother Cadfael, "Sweeten him and you'll get your way."

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the expectation of the Welsh people of Gwytherin regarding murder?

2. How does Prior Robert attempt to get Rhisiart to agree to his proposal during the private discussion away from the public meeting?

3. How does Prior Robert try to avoid a debate with Father Huw regarding Prior Robert's proposal?

4. Contrast Brother Cadfael's and Brother John's devotion to Prior Robert with Brother Jerome's and Brother Columbanus' devotion to Prior Robert.

5. How do Rhisiart and Sioned treat each other, especially regarding marriage?

6. What myth about a murderer going near or touching the murder victim does Sioned relate to Brother Cadfael?

7. What do we learn about Prior Robert from his behavior toward the townspeople of Gwytherin as he tries to get his proposal approved?

8. After Prior Robert hears Father Huw's news from the meeting with the heads of the parish, what does he do?

9. What is Father Huw's news after he meets with the heads of the parish?

10. How does Sioned defy her culture's female stereotype at the scene of Rhisiart's murder?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is a "whodunnit"? Explain why A Morbid Taste for Bones: A Mediaeval Whodunnit falls under the genre of mystery. If you believe it's more appropriate for a different genre, please state which genre, explain, and support your answer with evidence from the novel. Could the story be classified as a sub-genre of mystery? If so, what type? Give examples from the novel to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Choose a situation in the story in which Brother Cadfael acted in a way you disagree with. Describe the situation. Why did Brother Cadfael act this way? What were the consequences of his actions? Why do you disagree with Brother Cadfael's reaction to the situation? How would you have reacted? Why?

Essay Topic 3

A stereotype is a broad generalization about a certain group of people or a type of person that implies the members of this group have no individual qualities. In the time A Morbid Taste for Bones: A Mediaeval Whodunnit was set, society had certain expectations for females, a cultural female stereotype. What was the cultural female stereotype during the time the story was set? Which characters represent the stereotypical female of the time? How? Which characters defy the female stereotype of the time? How? Which male characters support the female stereotype? How do you know? Which male characters support the individuality of the female? How do you know?

(see the answer keys)

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