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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 is the first information given about Ibn?

2. Where is a dead Northman's body placed?

3. About what people does Ibn begin writing about in Chapter Two?

4. Why are Ibn and his party taken captive?

5. What are the warriors told to leave outside the hall?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ibn note about the difference between the people at Trelburg and the Northmen and what does he find out there about the troubles at Rothgar's Hall?

2. Why was Ibn chosen as the thirteenth warrior?

3. What does Crichton say about Ibn's observations of the Vikings?

4. What hits the land right after the burial and what does Ibn notice about the Northmen?

5. What do Buliwyf and his group find in a farmhouse and what does Buliwyf find there that he smashes?

6. What does Ibn learn about Thorkel during the burial rites?

7. What does Herger ask Ibn about writing, how does Ibn respond and what upsets one of the warriors about writing?

8. What does Ibn and his party see as they walk towards Rothgar's Hall and how do the Viking warriors feel about it?

9. Why did Ibn Fadlan go on a journey, who sent him, when did he go and what changed his original destination?

10. What is Ibn's writing style and why does he write like that?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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 Michael Crichton.

2. What in Crichton's background may have helped Crichton in writing "Eaters of the Dead"? 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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in this book. 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 "Eaters of the Dead". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Who is a coward? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "Eaters of the Dead". What is Ibn's view of tradition? Guliwyf's view? Herger's? Why is death important to some characters? How is Ibn's view of death different than Buliwyf ?

(see the answer keys)

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