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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. The man who rescues Orien and Birle trades what for their rescue?

2. Why does the thief decide to keep Birle on board the boat and listen to her?

3. On the first evening, what does Birle attempt to request of the Lord?

4. What mistake does Birle make when the Lord pulls out his map?

5. To whom is Orien sold?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the name Corbel seem to stand for, who uses it, and why?

2. In the beginning of Chapter 2, the mysterious man is asleep while Birle lies awake, yet she is unafraid. What makes her not fear this man?

3. What do Ker and Torson say when Orien tells them of his heritage, and where he and Birle are from?

4. What are some speculations Birle makes about why the Lord is running away from home?

5. Why does Birle agree to marry Muir, and how does she feel about the wedding near the end of Chapter 2?

6. Chapter 2 discusses a brief family background of Birle's. Who is Granda, Gran, Lyss, Da, and Nan and how are they related to Birle?

7. In the beginning of her travels down the river with the Lord, Birle notes differences between him and men that she knows. What are they?

8. Briefly describe what happened with the woman Orien loved.

9. Describe how Birle is treated by the middling man.

10. What tactics does Birle use in attempts to draw out her time spent with the Lord?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Birle and Orien are runaways, but both have different reasons for running away. What are Birle's reasons? What are Orien's reasons? Are their reasons valid for running away? Take a look at all that has happened to them because they chose to run away. Could it all have been avoided if they remained where they were? If they had not run away, what might have become of them?

Essay Topic 2

Birle has an interesting relationship with Nan. Describe who Nan is and how she is related to Birle. What does Birle feel for Nan given their relationship? How does she feel about her in the beginning of the book compared to the end? Throughout the novel, Nan is mentioned or thought of by Birle. Are these thoughts positive or negative? Why is Birle thinking about Nan and what does she owe to Nan? Discuss their relationship and how it has affected Birle's person. Use examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Many times people take something that has been given to them or something that they have learned for granted. Often times these gifts are taken for granted because people cannot see their true worth. Sometimes one might understand the true value of a gift and sometimes, never. For Birle, the two "treasures" she ultimately finds very useful to have is the ability to read and write. How did she initially feel about being given this treasure by her grandparents and why did she feel this way? Along her journey, how did her views of being able to read and write change? In what instances was it helpful? How does she regard her treasures by the end? Be specific using examples.

(see the answer keys)

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