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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 childhood ideals did the author see slipping away from his life?

2. During their sword duel, what do Inigo and the Man in Black discover about each other?

3. How did the author's relative entertain him during his recovery period?

4. When Buttercup pushes the Man in Black down a ravine and says he can die for all she cares, he says what?

5. For years, the author heard The Princess Bride being told in the voice of his what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Prince Humperdinck's demeanor as he pursues whoever kidnapped Buttercup?

2. Whenever the farm boy says "As you wish", what does he really mean?

3. As future queen of Florin, how does Buttercup regard the people?

4. How does the Man in Black outsmart and defeat Vizzini?

5. Is there any love in the courtship between Buttercup and Humperdinck?

6. Why does Buttercup grow jealous over the way the Countess stared at Westley?

7. Does the author's account of his father reading "The Princess Bride" seem credible to him?

8. What is the outcome of the sword fight between Inigo Montoya and the Man in Black?

9. Describe Fezzik's childhood.

10. How does Buttercup regard her own appearance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain why the actual author, William Goldman, creates a fictitious author, S. Morgenstern, for "The Princess Bride", trying to pass him off as the real author.

1. How does this narrative device present opportunities for Goldman to take creative liberties with the story?

2. What tools and techniques does the author use to make his premise of another author believable?

Essay Topic 2

In Florin's world of tragedy, betrayal, revenge, and other harsh realities, one thing remains pure and worth making sacrifices for: the ongoing love between Westley and Buttercup.

1. Explain how the love between these two characters serves as a tool to keep the reader's hope and interest level alive even in the midst of the most hopeless situations that the book's various characters find themselves in.

2. How does the love shared between Westley and Buttercup help advance the plot line?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast William Goldman's relationship with his son, Jason, and with his father.

1. Which man appears to have a closer relationship with his son? Why?

2. Despite their flawed relationships, how do love and caring show through in the relationship between Goldman and his son? Between Goldman and his father?

3. How does "The Princess Bride" serve as a bridge between the three generations?

4. Are any of these individuals real, or are they merely additional characters in the story? Explain your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

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