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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 does Katsa do after she begins to trust Po?

2. For what does Katsa tell Po she admires him?

3. Who is with Giddon when Katsa gets back to him?

4. What surprises Katsa when she returns to court?

5. About what is Katsa emphatic with Po?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Katsa doing at the beginning of the book, and what does she do with the people who would stop her?

2. What does Po want to do after he sees his grandfather, and what does he propose to Katsa?

3. What does Katsa think about Tealiff being kidnapped?

4. What does Katsa hear about the Queen of Monsea and what would Katsa like to do about her?

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

6. Why is Katsa upset with Randa and what does Giddon tell her about Randa?

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

8. How did Katsa get Helda as a servant woman?

9. Who pulls a knife on Katsa, and what does she do about him?

10. About what does Katsa confront Po and what is his response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Katsa is surprised to find the Graced Lienid fighter at the court of King Randa. His name is Prince Greening, and Katsa feels his challenge of her. Katsa feels a flash of excitement in looking at the arrogant Prince and has a hard time in dealing with this. With her role in politics, and power, Katsa is used to suppressing her personal feelings.

1. Do you think Prince Greening's challenge of Katsa is chauvinistic? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think what Katsa sees as a challenge by Prince Greening might actually be a display of his attraction to her? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Why do you think someone in Katsa's position has to suppress her personal feelings? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Graceling", questions that Cashore most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Cashore's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Cashore's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Cashore and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Graceling", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement.) Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Graceling". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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