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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 shocks Harry about Justine?

2. What is Harry's conclusion about the group Murphy has her gun trained on?

3. What does Harry ask Murphy about the bomb?

4. What department had Murphy's father been working when the father died?

5. What does Harry notice about two of the human servants?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who shows up when Harry and Bob are talking and why?

2. How does Harry stop the fire assault from two human servants?

3. Where are the children at the shelter, how are they being held and who can rescue them?

4. What clues Harry in to the fact that Murphy is not against him?

5. What does Bob tell Harry about the people in the shelter?

6. What is Harry still dealing with? Why is he able to laugh?

7. What does Harry tell Ebenezar and Kincaid and what do they do after that?

8. How can Lara find Thomas and what shocks Harry about that?

9. Describe the Deeps.

10. What does Harry offer Raith and how does Raith counter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Blood Rites. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in Blood Rites. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of change in Blood Rites. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with change? Why? What are some symbols of change? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid? Which situations seem most changed?

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

Harry Dresden is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in Blood Rites and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Harry who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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