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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 has Ged lost?

2. What does Ged find out about the shadow?

3. Where does Vetch find Ged after he has fought the shadow?

4. About whom does the woman tell Ged?

5. Who goads Ged about his skills as a wizard?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Pechvarry act so negatively towards Ged?

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

3. 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?

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

5. How does Ged's reaction to the town's celebration show a change in his character?

6. Why do you think Ged is initially reluctant to allow his friend to come with him?

7. What does it say about Vetch and Ged's friendship that Ged is drawn to the village even before he meets his friend?

8. Why is it important that the reader does not know the victor of the fight until Vetch asks him?

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

10. Why is it significant that Ged and Vetch travel through uncharted seas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Wizard of Earthsea is a children's book and as such is very different in style to that of an adult book.

1) How is the language Le Guin's uses different from the language she would use in an adult book. Does she use shorter sentences and shorter paragraphs. What kind of vocabulary does she use?

2) How do the themes reflect the problems of childhood and adulthood? For what age group is a Wizard of Earthsea aimed?

Essay Topic 2

In the novel, Ged has two choices--join the dark side or join the good side.

1) Who represents the good and dark sides in each part of the novel? What is each side working towards? Is Ged ever tempted to join the dark side?

2) Why do you think the Shadow appears? Does Le Guin foreshadow its presence? Is so, how?

3) What is it about Ged's character and upbringing that means he has to fight and defeat his darkside? Why do none of the other characters seem to have a similar problem?

Essay Topic 3

When Ged visits Iffish, he says he says he has a good feeling about the place before meeting his good friend Vetch. Why do you think Ged likes the town so much? Does the town reflect Vetch's personality? If so what similarity does the setting have with Vetch's character?

(see the answer keys)

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