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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. How does Brother Cadfael feel when he learns about Cal?

2. Who disputes Prior Robert's accusation, stating that Rhisiart may have been obstructing the plans of others?

3. Where is Brother Cadfael working when he is called for mass?

4. After Brother John grabs the leg of the man who chases Engelard, who is furious with Brother John?

5. After Engelard is named as a suspect in Rhisiart's murder, whom does Sioned accuse of having the strongest motive to kill her father?

Short Essay Questions

1. Contrast Engelard's views on running away from Rhisiart's murder scene with Peredur's reaction to running away.

2. When Rhisiart doesn't come to the dinner meeting to work out the differences with Prior Robert, what does Prior Robert believe about him?

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

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

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

6. How does Brother Cadfael demonstrate his cleverness when speaking to Abbot Heribert about the expedition to obtain St. Winifred's bones?

7. What do we learn about Brother John from his reaction to Prior Robert's desire to obtain relics for the abbey?

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

9. What do Rhisiart and the townspeople believe about Prior Robert's proposal and how does Prior Robert respond?

10. What is Father Huw's role in the discussion regarding Prior Robert's proposal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the setting influence the events in the story? Give examples to explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Brother Cadfael needs to use quite a bit of reasoning to solve the mystery of Rhisiart's death. Explain the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning. Which did Brother Cadfael use more frequently, inductive or deductive reasoning? In which situations did he use this form of reasoning? As you formulate your answer, think of these terms: clues, inference, logic, and evidence.

Essay Topic 3

In A Morbid Taste for Bones: A Mediaeval Whodunnit, Brother Jerome and Brother Columbanus both have dreams. Compare and contrast their dreams. What are their dreams about? Do the dreams provide any hints or clues of events that take place later in the story? What is the author's purpose in including the dreams in the story?

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