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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 do Katsa and her companions do before they go to the home of an Estillan borderlord?

2. For what does Katsa criticize Oll and Giddon when she meets them at the hideout?

3. What does Giddon arrange the night of the dinner with Davit?

4. What does the Lienid prince demand of Katsa?

5. What kind of Graced power does Helda's son have?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Lord Davit say at dinner the night Katsa meets the fighter, and where does the council meet that night?

3. Where do Po and Katsa spend their second night on the road and what upsets Katsa in the common room?

4. What does Katsa think about Tealiff being kidnapped?

5. What happens with Katsa and Po at the archery range?

6. What does Po say to Katsa about Giddon and what is Katsa's response?

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

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

9. What happens when Katsa is summoned to Randa about Ellis?

10. How does Katsa feel about Po's fighting abilities and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When the dreaded visit by King Randa to her fighting match occurs, Katsa knows that it will be to punish some petty offense and feels horrible that she cannot break from serving Randa. She is angered by Po's reminder that she can control her relationship to King Randa, and she hits Po. The reader is reminded that Katsa still has the power to maim or kill Po. Katsa realizes that she must plan ahead on how to deal with Randa and control her anger.

1. Do you think Katsa can control her relationship with the king? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. If Katsa actually does have the power to control her relationship with Randa do you think that makes her more guilty of some of the killings or physical punishments she has done for him? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss in depth why you think Katsa struck out at Po for being right. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Graceling" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Graceling" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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