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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 the Herald explain to Talia?

2. How does Talia feel in the older woman's presence?

3. Why does Teren ask Talia to stay after class one day?

4. Who is Kris?

5. What shames Talia about how she is treated by other students?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Elcarth's position in the palace, what does he notice about Talia's personality and her knowledge?

2. What are the first two tasks Talia does when she and the Companion stop at their first rest?

3. What happens when Talia comes upon a herald and what does she fear? What does he tell her?

4. What happens to Talia that gets her out of her holding?

5. What does Sherrill take Talia to get?

6. What are the differences in the roles between men and women in Talia's holding and why might she be different than many women?

7. What is Talia's social life like in her holding?

8. Where are Talia and the Companion traveling when she leaves her father's holding?

9. What concerns Alberich about Talia and how does Talia feel about her first lesson with him?

10. Where does Talia go after her second weapons class and how does she do with the class?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels end on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Arrows of the Queen and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Arrows of the Queen is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Sherrill approaches Talia before leaving on Herald business to explain to Talia about sex and birth control. It is obvious that the sexual mores of the Heralds is more liberal than those in which Talia is raised. Do you think Talia will change her sexual mores eventually? Why? Do most people discard beliefs in which they are raised if they begin living in a community with different beliefs? What do you think this says about beliefs?

2. Ylsa and Keren are two women who are lovers. Though few people in the community live a homosexual lifestyle, the women are accepted for who they are and are not condemned. Do you believe they should be accepted for who they are? Discuss their life as Heralds, which is similar to being soldiers, in light of the current debate about gays serving openly in the military.

3. As Talia grows and matures, her beliefs about many things change. Discuss Talia's changing in light of your own life as you left home and meet other people who thought differently from your own community.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Arrows of the Queen is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

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