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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. Where does Hardic have his roots?

2. What is Duny's new name?

3. Where is the man from that heals Duny?

4. What does Master Namer teach him?

5. What does Ged ask the main dragon to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think Jasper and Ged become such enemies?

2. Do you think Duny has anything that initially sets him out from others?

3. Why does Le Guin present a wizard's name as so important?

4. Why do you think LeGuin's book harks back to the Middle Ages?

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

6. Why do you think Jasper is so cruel to Ged?

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

8. Why do you think it is important for Ged to have a nemesis like Jasper?

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

10. What do you think Ged could learn with Ogion that he could not learn at a wizard school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Wizard of Earthsea is set in a world that is similar to the Middle Ages. Like the Middle Ages, wizard and dragons are an important part of society and people believe in their powers.

1) Why do you think Le Guin has chosen to recreate a world reminiscent of the Middle Ages? Is this typical of fantasy fiction?

2) Discuss how different the novel would be if it was set in contemporary times. What problems would there be with suspension of belief? How could the writer get over these problems?

Essay Topic 2

The book is generally told from the point of view of the main character Ged, but on two separate occasions, Le Guin switches point of view. The first time it switches to Ogion when Ged is a hawk and the second time it switches to Vetch when Ged is busy fighting the Shadow. Taking one of these examples, answer the following questions.

1) How does the meaning of the story change when Le Guin switches point of view?

2) Why does Le Guin use this character's point of view and not any of the other characters?

3) Imagine you are the shadow. What do you think his point of view would be? Is he completely evil? Is he as scared as Ged?

Essay Topic 3

A Wizard of Earthsea details Ged's coming of age.

1) What problems does Ged have to overcome? How does he overcome them? At what point does Ged become free of his problems and how does he react to this freedom?

2) What do you think would have happened to Ged if he went to Roke instead of facing the Shadow? Do you think this would have signified his defeat.

3) Discuss why it is so important for Ged to achieve something special? What do you think has triggered his ambition.

(see the answer keys)

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