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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. Which object in the illustration can't Black and Master Osman determine who made it?

2. Who comes to summon Master Osman?

3. Which of the following characters is the murderer?

4. What is unique about the missing illustration?

5. Where does Master Osman believe he and Black will be able to find the truth about the drawing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Butterfly disappointed about and what is he excited about?

2. Where does the pageboy lead Master Osman?

3. What returns for the funeral and how is it described?

4. What does Osman wonder about the suspects of the murder and why does he wonder about this?

5. How does Shekure react to Black after she dreams about her father?

6. What does the Head Treasurer apologize for?

7. What two ways does Stork use to draw his horse?

8. How does Esther feel about the funeral?

9. What do Black, Master Osman and the dwarf do while they are locked in the Inner Treasury?

10. Why can't Master Osman give his full attention to the task of looking for the illustrations?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think was the purpose of the horse that was so realistically drawn that the other horse wanted to mount it? How does this add to the theme of idolatry? How does this play into the discussion of realistic pictures?

Essay Topic 2

What was the purpose of the storyteller and their stories throughout the novel? Do you believe these inclusions were important or not important to the overall work? Why do you feel that way?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel there is a continuous conflict between art as a representation of meaning and art for its own sake. Which side of this conflict do your beliefs fall that art should be? Why do you feel this way? Where do you think Black stands on this issue?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 620 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample