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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. How many of the wendol does Ibn slay?

2. Why is Ibn extremely fearful when they are on the cliffs?

3. Why do the women cover Hurot with water?

4. What do the dwarfs give the warriors?

5. What does Herger do after he talks to Ibn?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one of the new defenses around Hurot and what do the women do with water and why do they do it?

2. What is the only time Ibn can observe the Northmen showing any emotions about the first battle with the wendol?

3. What does Herger tell Ibn about the wendol's mother?

4. What does Ibn see as the wendol approach at night and what does he think it is?

5. What do Herger and Ibn think of each others' religion?

6. How are wounded warriors treated for their wounds?

7. What do the Northmen do the night they visited the dwarfs, and why does Ibn decide to join with them?

8. What is the landscape like in the Desert of Dread?

9. Where does Ibn awake after the battle and what does he see as he walks across the compound?

10. What do the riders see when they look down on an encampment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The reading of the bones is not described in much detail, but some readers may recognize this act as a common ritual among certain cultures. An old woman or man is revered as a type of prophet able to read the future. This person is used to determine the wisdom of acting in a certain way whenever a difficult situation presents itself. Buliwyf does not argue with the crone's words but rather accepts them and his own fate.

1. What do you think is the difference between superstition and belief? Use examples from "Eaters of the Dead" and your research to support your answer.

2. Why do you think Buliwyf accepts his fate in such a stoic manner? Use examples from "Eaters of the Dead" and your research to support your answer.

3. How do you think a crone who is considered a prophet or seer might be able to influence the men in a community? Use examples from the novel and your own research to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Rothgar has five sons who should have been able to gather a suitable war party to face the wendol. However, the sons of Rothgar are too concerned with obtaining their father's throne to notice that the kingdom they wish to rule is under attack. Wiglif is more concerned with whether or not Buliwyf means to take Rothgar's throne than the fact there may soon be no village left to rule.

1. If Rothgar's five sons are fighting each other for his position, what does this say about what kind of kings the sons might be? Use examples from the text and your research to support your answer.

2. In view of the fact that Rothgar's sons could pull together enough men to fight the wendol why do you think Buliwyf should go help Rothgar? Use examples from "Eaters of the Dead" and your own life to support your answer.

3. How does the cliche: "Can't see the apple for the tree," relate to what Rothgar's sons are doing? Use examples from "Eaters of the Dead" and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Crichton discusses the differences between Ibn Fadlan's observations about the Vikings and the common European view of the Northmen. Crichton reviews the numerous ways that show the Vikings were not the barbarians Europeans made them out to be. The Viking lifestyle is surprisingly modern with a strong sense of ritual.

1. Ritual is important in most civilizations. Support or refute the following statement with supporting reasons: Low technological societies or early civilizations had more ritual than modern civilizations. Use examples from Eaters of the Dead and your own life to support your answer.

2. The Europeans had a very negative view of the Northmen which Ibn shares until he spends some time with them and actually know them. In view of this explain how the cliche "You can't tell a book by its cover," applies to the situation between the view of the European towards the Northmen and Ibn's final views of the Northmen. Use examples from Eaters of the Dead and your own life to support your answer.

3. Why do you think rituals are important to human culture? Use examples from "Eaters of the Dead" and your own life to support your answer.

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