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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 changes Po's initial feelings?

2. What happens to Ashen?

3. What does Bitterblue say the King wanted to do to her?

4. With whom does Po do fighting drills?

5. How do Katsa and Bitterblue disembark?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Po and Katsa leave for the forest early and what do they see when they reach the edge of the forest?

2. What is the weather like in the mountains where Katsa and Po are climbing, where do they sleep and what does Po remember about his time in the mountains with his family?

3. How is Po when Katsa finds him and what does he say that shocks her?

4. What does Bitterblue say happened with her and her mother?

5. How does Po begin to recover some of his self-confidence and where do he and Katsa go in the spring?

6. How are Po and Katsa reunited after his attempt on killing King Leck?

7. How do Po and Katsa find Bitterblue?

8. What does Po say about his blindness and how did he overcome his self-pity?

9. Why does Katsa begin to teach Bitterblue how to fight and what does she teach her? How does the ship crew help?

10. What does Katsa tell the shopkeeper about why she is there?

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or ideas that are not a part of the "real" world. In the case of "Graceling", much of the setting may seem familiar to the reader (i.e. it is in the "real" world), though there are new ideas and terms to learn. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of the world of "Graceling" that occur in the "real" world but are used differently in "Graceling".

2. Define the words as used in "Graceling's" world and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language.

3. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the world of "Graceling". Did you have to look up any words? What does it mean to learn a word through its context? Do you have to do that in this book? Which word(s)?

4. Were there any words you never really understood from "Graceling"? Which ones?

(see the answer keys)

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