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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 brothers does Po have?

2. What does she think the Graced fighter is doing with her at the dinner?

3. What does Katsa think about herself and Giddon?

4. What does Po suggests to Katsa they can do?

5. What worries Katsa about the size of the council?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Po figure out about Katsa's Grace and about her morals because of the Council?

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

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

4. What does Po tell Katsa about King Leck?

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

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

7. How do Po and Katsa decide to get to Monsea and what does Katsa wonder about with King Leck?

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

9. Where do Katsa and Po spend their first night on the road, and what do they tell each other?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Graceling" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Graceling"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Graceling" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

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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