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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 does Miri want to see in the lowlands?

2. When will the prince choose his bride?

3. Who is Steffan?

4. What does Peder say mining linder is like?

5. Why does Miri plan to go to the Linder mines at the opening to the book?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Miri get all the girls to leave for spring holiday and how does that change the girls' attitude towards Miri?

2. What do the girls do to tell the villagers about their experience in the academy so far and about what does Miri speak to Peder?

3. Who is Britta?

4. Describe Miri's conversation with Knut and how does that lead to Miri discovering the price of linder.

5. How does Miri decide to tell of her experience in the closet and how does that affect Gerti?

6. What do Bena and Liana think of the village boys and of what do they accuse Miri?

7. What are the results of the next test and of what does Bena accuse the fourteen-year-olds?

8. What more does Miri learn about quarry-speech and Linder from Marda and her pa?

9. How does Miri use Diplomacy when they return to the academy and what is Olana's response?

10. What does Miri decide to do one day when the other girls go outside?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Princess Academy". Questions that Hale most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Hale' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Hale' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Hale and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 2

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 "Princess Academy" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Princess Academy" 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 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Princess Academy". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Hale chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Hale chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Hale's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Hale use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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