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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 Brother Columbanus say is the only thing he will take in until they accomplish their goal?

2. What does Brother Cadfael tell Sioned at the site of Rhisiart's murder?

3. To what does Prior Robert invite Rhisiart so Prior Robert can try to work out their differences?

4. When do the heads of the parish want Prior Robert to take St. Winifred's remains?

5. Who finds Rhisiart's dead body?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the warning that Padrig gives to Brother Cadfael and Brother John regarding the meeting about Prior Robert's proposal.

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

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

4. After Prior Robert discusses acquiring a relic, how do the monks care for Brother Columbanus when he has an episode of "falling sickness"?

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

6. What confuses Father Huw and the Welsh girl Brother Cadfael meets regarding Prior Robert's mission?

7. After finding that the front of Rhisiart's clothing is wet and the back of his clothing is dry, what do Brother Cadfael and Sioned determine about Rhisiart's death?

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

9. Contrast Brother Cadfael's approach to dealing with the townspeople with Prior Robert's approach to dealing with the townspeople.

10. The morning after Rhisiart's murder, why does Brother Columbanus look withdrawn and distracted?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

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.

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