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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. Who does Talia confide in concerning her problems?

2. What do Talia and the Queen realize as Talia is helping the Queen?

3. Why is Selenay upset?

4. Who uses Elspeth as an example of a good student?

5. What can give Heralds a headache?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Skif ask of Talia and how does Talia respond?

2. What subject does Sherrill broach with Talia before Sherrill leaves on her first assignment?

3. Who does Talia confide in and what does he tell her?

4. What does Talia do at the memorial service for Beltren?

5. What does Skif tell Talia about the Death Bell?

6. What does Talia learn about Herald's Gifts?

7. What is the circumstances of Elspeth being accepted in the community of Heralds?

8. What happens to demonstrate that the harassing has gone beyond school kids' pranks?

9. What is disconcerting about Elspeth?

10. What does Talia learns about Hulda?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In most fiction, readers would like all the loose ends to be neatly "tied up." Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Arrows of the Queen is successful as a fantasy novel? Why or why not.

2. What about this book would motivate you to read another of Mercedes Lackey's Herald and Companion series? What would discourage you from doing so?

3. Were all the "loose ends" satisfactorily settled for you? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Talia and Skif. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? How do they compare as to the way they are raised before being chosen? Do you think they will both become good Heralds? Why or why not.Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Talia and Rolan. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character? How do the fact that they are different species influence your response to them?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Arrows of the Queen help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Arrows of the Queen, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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