View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Herger say is customary behavior for Vikings before a sea voyage?

2. Why does Ibn's party stop after they leave the Oguz?

3. What does Ibn learn during the funeral of the Northmen leader?

4. How prevalent is adultery among the Oguz?

5. Who is Wulfgar's father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ibn do about leaving at the beginning of Chapter Five, and how does he feel about his journey with the Northmen?

2. Where does the party stay for two days and what does Ibn find out about Northmen behavior before a sea voyage?

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

4. Describe Trelburg.

5. What does Ibn think of Rothgar's Hall when he first sees it and what does Herger say about the hall?

6. Where do the Northmen make landfall, how do they travel next and how does Ibn feel about the traveling? Why do they travel so many hours in a day?

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

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

9. What trouble are the Northmen experiencing when Ibn meets them?

10. How do the Northmen hold funeral rites for their leader?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Eaters of the Dead" belongs to the historical fiction fantasy genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the historical novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a science fiction novel and a historical fiction fantasy novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Eaters of the Dead" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if this is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for young teens versus adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Eaters of the Dead" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,237 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample