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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. In the beginning of Chapter 17, how long has Matt been missing?

2. How does Matt's mother react to her son's absence?

3. What area do Kira and Thomas pass as they look for Matt in Chapter 17?

4. How does Matt describe the people he met on his journey?

5. What is the atmosphere in the Council Edifice as people gather for the singing of the Ruin song?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what is known about the character Jo by the end of Chapter 13.

2. What does Matt's journey through the woods reveal?

3. How does Kira spend her rainy day in Chapter 12?

4. What is Kira to do on the blank section of the Singer's robe, and how does she react to her new task?

5. What does Thomas claim to have heard in Chapter 12 and how do the children react to his claim?

6. How do the villagers and Matt's family react to his absence?

7. Why does Kira cry after returning from Jo's room at the end of Chapter 16?

8. What is Jamison's role in the attack on Christopher?

9. What does the Gathering ceremony resemble?

10. How have the words of the Ruin song been distorted over time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role do the "beasts" play in the novel? What is the purpose of the legend of the beasts and why is the myth perpetuated? Who is the real "beast" and why?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the value of friendship and giving in the novel. Compare and contrast the children's friendships with the relationships evident among other characters in the villages. How do their friendships affect their character development, and even their survival?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the cycles evident in the novel. Is the purpose of the Singer's robe to predict cycles, prevent cycles, or break cycles, and why? If the robe, staff, and Ruin Song are unable to break the cycle that destroys societies, what will?

(see the answer keys)

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