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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 Ged turn himself into to fight the birds?

2. For what reason do the villagers tell Ged to move on?

3. What is the first thing Ged does when he reaches the shack?

4. How does Ged help the villagers?

5. What does Ged see on the island?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does it show that Ged respects the couple's decision to stay on the island?

2. What do you think Otak's death symbolizes?

3. Why do you think chasing the shadow takes away some of its power?

4. Do you think Ged achieves everything in his life he wanted to do?

5. Has Ged completed a full circle of his life?

6. At what point in this chapter does Ged show his increasing maturity?

7. What does Vetch's comment that he was there in beginning so he should be there in the end, mean in context of the story?

8. What does it symbolize that Ged cannot get back to Roke?

9. Why does LeGuin change the point of view from Ged to Ogion?

10. Why do you think the Shadow runs away after Ged tries to grab it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Ged builds some lasting friendships, but he also makes enemies. One of these enemies is Jasper. Discuss the importance of Jasper as a character. What purpose does he serve in the story? How is he important to Ged's development? Why do you think Le Guin does not bring him him back to the story.

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