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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. Why does Katsa leave the dinner early?

2. What does Katsa think about herself and Giddon?

3. What upsets Katsa about the borderlord's daughter?

4. What does Po sense about King Leck?

5. Why does Katsa feel vulnerable around Po?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Po learn about King Leck from the merchants?

2. Why does Katsa kill people and what does she decide to do about the kings of the seven kingdoms?

3. How does Katsa find out who the fighter was she confronted in the dungeon, and how does her second confrontation go with him?

4. How is Katsa feeling the second evening on their way to Monsea, what does Po suggest, what do they end up doing about Katsa's feelings?

5. What does Katsa ask Po about his country and what does he say?

6. What does Katsa hear of the fighter she encountered when leaving the dungeon?

7. How is Katsa feeling about her attraction to Po, what does she tell him and what is his response?

8. What does Katsa think about Tealiff being kidnapped?

9. What happens with the guards of the borderlord, and what does he say when he is confronted by Katsa?

10. What is Giddon doing with Katsa at the beginning of the book?

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 "Graceling".

Trace and analyze the theme of magic throughout "Graceling".

Trace and analyze the theme of evil throughout the book.

Trace and analyze the theme of love throughout the story.

Trace and analyze the theme of being a strong and independent woman throughout "Graceling".

Essay Topic 2

Po is brought in to see his grandfather Tealiff. There is a barely concealed confrontation of suitors between Giddon and Po, as Giddon protests that Po has scratched Katsa's face in their fight. Katsa tells them both that she is the Graced power Katsa, not some woman to argue over, and the two men make their peace.

1. Why would Giddon use Katsa's scratch as an excuse to verbally attack Po? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Katsa seems to think that men fighting over her is degrading to her. Do you agree? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think men treat women who are powerful and/or confident differently than one who is unsure of herself or appears weak? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

"Graceling" falls in the genre called fantasy. Discuss the following:

1. What is the definition of genre? Fantasy genre? How do you know "Graceling" falls in the genre of fantasy? Give examples.

2. Other than entertainment, why do you think people might read fantasy?

3. Fantasy is sometimes considered second-rate fiction--i.e., that it is not good enough to be studied in academe. Why do you think this is true? Do you think it is a valid argument?

(see the answer keys)

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