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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 haunts Beneditx?

2. What religion is the land of Aclar?

3. What does Amara ask Pare Aldonza?

4. What does Palinor tell Fra Murta about his captains?

5. Why does Severo examine the map?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't the abbess care about Amara?

2. What does Severo say to Fra Murta to explain his behavior concerning Palinor? How does the Fra feel about it?

3. What happens with Beneditx?

4. How does Severo feel about Fra Murta and why?

5. Why does Severo turn Palinor over to Fra Murta?

6. What does Fra Murta ask Amara and how does she respond?

7. How does Fra Murta finally get Palinor?

8. What does Palinor see as he rides into Ciudad?

9. What does Jamie do when he comes for Amara and what does he do with her?

10. What happens when Palinor is tortured?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Fra Murta believes a country without religion sounds horrible, as religious leaders believe people's belief in God is the only thing that keeps them from sinning. Palinor counters by saying that people also will abide by laws, because they make sense, again providing an alternate explanation for something Grandinsula's leaders previously have attributed only to God.

1. Do you think people obey the law in America because the law makes sense? Why or why not?

2. Do you think Palinor's statement about the law holds true for every person who lives in Aclar? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think the religious leaders have such little faith in men obeying the law?

Essay Topic 2

This book raises questions of what is human and what is animal, as well as questions of sin and forgiveness. Amara, who the nuns are trying to reform from her wolf-like ways, is treated horribly when she is gang-raped by shepherds.

1. Would you call the behavior of the shepherds more human than Amara's behavior at the Abbey? Why or why not?

2. Discuss what you believe is the difference between a human and an animal. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

3. What do you think the nuns should do with Amara at this point in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Fra Murta, who is supposed to represent the height of religious power, is compared to a blight in this chapter. The Inquisitor's relish for flushing out heretics is difficult for Severo to stomach, as is the church's convenient way of avoiding murder by having civil authorities execute heretics. Even Amara takes an immediate dislike to Fra Murta. As the characters in this novel struggle to reconcile Palinor's lack of religion with his good character, Fra Murta presents a stark contrast. He is full of religious zeal, yet he has no qualms ordering torture and cruel execution for supposed heretics.

1. Hypocrisy seems to be evident in Fra Murta's character. Explain, using examples, why one would say Fra Murta is a hypocrite.

2. Why do you think the characters, such as Severo and Beneditx struggle to reoncile Palinor's character with their beliefs?

3. Why do you think Amara took an instant dislike to Fra Murta?

(see the answer keys)

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