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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 Prior Robert do when it is stated that Engelard is the prime suspect in the murder of Rhisiart?

2. Why is Prior Robert ecstatic about the dream of Winifred?

3. What does Brother Cadfael realize about Peredur's relationship with Rhisiart when he considers Peredur as a suspect in Rhisiart's murder?

4. Who has a dream about Winifred on the night Brother Columbanus suffers his "falling sickness"??

5. How do the townspeople treat the old man Padrig?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Brother Jerome's dream of Winifred benefit Brother Columbanus?

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 The morning after Rhisiart's murder, why does Brother Columbanus look withdrawn and distracted?

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

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

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

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

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. What are Father Huw's views on the approval of Prior Robert's proposal by Bishop David and Prince Owain and the approval of the townspeople?

9. What is Father Huw's advice to Prior Robert about getting Rhisiart to agree to his proposal?

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

Explain one of the following themes as it is developed in A Morbid Taste for Bones: A Mediaeval Whodunnit. Explain where it is present, how it is presented, and how it affects the plot and characters. Give examples from the story to explain your answer.

1) courage

2) innocence vs. wisdom

3) ambition.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

List the main events from A Morbid Taste for Bones: A Mediaeval Whodunnit. Could you change the order of the main events or leave out any main events? Why or why not? What does this say about the author's organization of the material? Why might he have organized it the way he did?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,112 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample