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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 do people on the island respond to Ged's questions?

2. What does Duny produce to help the village?

3. What does Ogion do when he enters the room?

4. What happens when Ged says the spell?

5. In what sea is the island located

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think Duny receives his new name on his 13th birthday?

2. How is pride proving Ged's biggest obstacle?

3. Why do you think Ged opts to take a position in Gorning?

4. What do you think Ged will learn at wizard school that he cannot learn with Ogion?

5. Why is it important Ged has a good friend like Vetch?

6. Do you think Ogion understands Ged's needs?

7. Why is it significant that Vetch tells Ged his real name?

8. What does the death of Pechvarry's child represent to Ged?

9. Is it significant that the shadow appears immediately after Ged has tried to help the dying child?

10. What does Le Guin show about Ged's character when he is looking for the school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick one of the following themes from the story and discuss how it contributes to the story's meaning.

1) Pride.

2) Coming of Age

3) Friendship

Essay Topic 2

The Wizard of Earthsea was written in 1968, a year after the summer of love and consequently communicates some of the concerns of that period. Choose one of the following ideas from the book and discuss how they reflect the concerns of sixties culture.

1) Good vs evil

2) Friendship and adventure in preference to shutting yourself away from the world.

3) The importance of tradition.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the importance of ancient traditions in the novel. Do you think tradition holds Ged and the younger characters back? How does it affect the tone of the novel? Does it represent a split between the younger and older generations?

(see the answer keys)

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