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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 makes the girls feel small and insignificant?

2. With whom does Miri decide to try out her quarry-speech?

3. What subject does Miri spend extra time studying?

4. What does Miri discover about Britta?

5. Who is Steffan?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Miri's reaction to quarry speech?

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

3. Why did Miri feel isolated from other girls her age and how is being at the academy changing that?

4. What happens when Miri tries to be a trader?

5. Where does Miri want to go and what does her pa say about it?

6. What do Miri and Britta share at the council meeting, and what is the result?

7. What did Pa want to name Miri and why didn't he do so?

8. What happens to Marda and how does this lead to Miri learning about why she is not allowed in the mines?

9. Who is Britta?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Shannnon Hale.

2. What in Hale's background may have helped him in writing "Princess Academy"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Princess Academy". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Princess Academy". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of the fulfillment of dreams in "Princess Academy". How did Miri's dreams and hopes change over the course of the book? What about Katar? The Prince? Peder?

(see the answer keys)

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