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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. For how many years is Briar-Rose asleep?

2. What animal is Jorinda turned into in Jorinda and Joringel?

3. What did Death use to show the length of life a person has left in "Godfather Death"?

4. What tricks the sorcerer into believing his bride is in the attic?

5. What item does the boy turn to silver in "The Spirit in the Bottle"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is The Robber Bridegroom considered a dark tale?

2. Discuss Gretel's character in Clever Gretel.

3. The number three is used several times in some of the fairy tales. Give a brief list of which stories that use the number three, what is represented in threes, and what the number three might represent.

4. What are the similarities and differences between The Devil's Sooty Brother and Bearskin?

5. Although Snow-White is usually told as a fairy tale to entertain little girls, what is the lesson of Little Snow-White?

6. What is the similarity between The Singing, Soaring Lark, and The King of the Golden Mountain?

7. Describe the use of intelligence by the tailor in The Valiant Little Tailor.

8. What is the irony in The Water-Nixie?

9. What is the lesson of The Three Sons of Fortune?

10. The idea of good overpowering evil is prevalent in many of the stories. Briefly mention a few and discuss how good triumphs over evil.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Magic and supernatural elements are very common and very-loved in fairy tales. Discuss what types of magic are typically seen within the tales and give specific examples for each type. What purpose does magic serve in the fairy tales? Do they enrich the story? Do fairy tales function better with the magical and supernatural elements?

Essay Topic 2

The bad people in fairy tales range from evil stepmothers to wicked witches and more. List each type of evil character and give a brief description of each. What behavioral codes do these bad people follow? What are the similarities between them? What are the differences? Why are these characters always evil? Are there any instances in which the stepmother is not evil? Use specific examples to support your claims.

Essay Topic 3

Usually people think of a fairy tale ending as being one in which the prince and the princess ride off into the sunset in a very romantic way. Romance and love are common themes that show up in fairy tales. Discuss the idea of romance and love and courtship in general. Then discuss how they are portrayed in fairy tales. Is there one type of romance and courting or are there many? What are some similar motifs in regards to this topic in the tales? Use specific examples to support each point.

(see the answer keys)

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