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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 will Jakkin's dragon be fighting?

2. What does Kkarina say most men want after their first drakk hunt?

3. What is the source of a dragon's inner fire?

4. What does Jakkin's dragon do while Jakkin is unconscious?

5. What does Kkarina ask Jakkin to tell her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens between Jakkin and Akki at the end of the story and what does Jakkin vow?

2. Who is Jakkin's Red's first opponent and how does Jakkin feel about that?

3. Who has Akki arranged to carry Jakkin's dragon and what does Jakkin wonder about the man?

4. What does Kkarina ask Jakkin about the hunt and what is his response?

5. What does Jakkin think about rites of passage to manhood and what precipitated his thoughts on the subject?

6. What do Sarkkhan and Jakkin negotiate?

7. What tactic is Bottle O'Rum using and how do Red and Jakkin respond?

8. What does Jakkin wonder about Akki as the two are walking back to the bondhouse?

9. Why does Likkarn become furious with Jakkin?

10. What does Jakkin leave with his dragon and what does he resolve to do the next visit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

Trace and analyze the theme of power throughout Dragon's Blood. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with power? Why? What are some symbols of power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless? Will power always be unbalanced in a society such as that on Austar IV?

Trace and analyze the theme of hope throughout Dragon's Blood. What characters are most concerned with hope? Why? What are some symbols of hope? How does the ability to communicate with a dragon give an automatic advantage to someone over another who cannot? Is there abuse of this ability?

Trace and analyze the theme of ambition throughout Dragon's Blood. What characters are ambitious? Why? What are some symbols of ambition? Symbols of apathy? Are more characters ambitious or apathetic? Why do you think some characters seem ambitious and others do not? What personality traits seem common to those who are ambitious? What about those who are content to stay in their station?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Dragon's Blood. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Dragon's Blood. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in Dragon's Blood? Which theme in Dragon's Blood speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Dragon's Blood belongs to the literary genre of fantasy fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly define the term genre and offer examples of it from your own reading experience. Why do you think it is useful to categorize fiction into genres? What could be a disadvantage of doing so?

2. What do you think is the main motivation for a person to read a fantasy novel? Is entertainment a good enough reason? Are there any other reasons to read this genre? What? Explain fully.

3. In "academe," fantasy novels are often thought of as less literary than some other genres and for that reason are sometimes "snubbed" in the study of literature. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with this "snobbery"?

4. Discuss the differences between fantasy and science fiction. How are they alike? How are they different? Which type do you prefer? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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