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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 Thomas say is the reason he came with Harry?

2. What does Harry yell at Thomas?

3. What does Lara promise Harry when they arrive at Raith manor?

4. Why does Harry tell Thomas he is nothing to him?

5. What does Lara tell Thomas?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Harry doing at the beginning of the book?

2. How does Harry kill one of the vampires fighting him and Lara and what does Marva say to him?

3. How does Harry feel when Thomas tells him they are brothers, what does Harry demand and what does Harry first see in the mirror?

4. What does Harry find in the dressing room and what does he do immediately?

5. What does Harry tell Murphy he has learned about Thomas and what do he, Murphy and Kincaid discuss?

6. What happens when Harry and Thomas get to Genosa's building?

7. What does Harry do after speaking briefly to Thomas and why does Inari come to his room? What happens to her?

8. What is wrong with the two people in the dressing room and what does the ambulance attendant tell Harry?

9. What does Joan tell Harry about Genosa's present company and actors?

10. What does Thomas tell Lara and what is her reply?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Jim Butcher.

2. What in Butcher's background may have helped him in writing Blood Rites? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Blood Rites is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Blood Rites. Questions that Butcher most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Butcher's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Butcher's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Butcher and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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