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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. Who is going to help Brother John escape before Brother John can be arrested?

2. To what does Brother Cadfael tell Sioned to personally invite Peredur?

3. What does Father Huw thank Brother Cadfael for after Brother Cadfael helps Dame Branwen?

4. What does Bened tell Prior Robert about what is happening at the place that used to be St. Winifred's grave?

5. What is the topic of discussion at the meeting Brother Cadfael goes to after leaving Father Huw?

Short Essay Questions

1. Because the body of a murderer seems to be bringing as many miracles as the bones of a saint, what conclusion can we draw about the connection between beliefs, logic, faith, and miracles?

2. Describe the behavior of Dame Branwen, Peredur's mother, as Brother Cadfael sees her when Father Huw asks him to help.

3. Why should anyone who knows about Brother Cadfael's plan to handle St. Winifred's remains and Brother Columbanus' body not speak of it until the brothers have left Gwytherin?

4. What is the dilemma faced by Brother Cadfael regarding Brother Columbanus being found guilty or not guilty of murdering Rhisiart?

5. How does Brother Cadfael explain miracles?

6. What does Brother Cadfael believe about St. Winifred when Sioned tells him why she deviated from the plan to get Brother Columbanus to confess to her father's murder?

7. What is Brother Cadfael's plan to trap Rhisiart's murderer while the vigil is held at St. Winifred's grave?

8. How do Brother Cadfael and Sioned test Brother Columbanus to determine if he killed Rhisiart?

9. Contrast Brother Cadfael's opinion of women with the medieval opinion of women, as represented by Father Huw.

10. What is Peredur's confession at Rhisiart's funeral?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write about a group of the following concepts as they relate to A Morbid Taste for Bones: A Mediaeval Whodunnit. Give examples from the story to support your answer.

1) morals, ethics

2) logic, faith, and beliefs

3) leaders, followers, and devotion.

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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