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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 records does the Aragon town keep in its green book?

2. Where did Alatriste meet Cagafuego?

3. Whose apartment does Alatriste visit in this section?

4. Who does Saldana say has powerful backers?

5. Which member of Luis' family was a Jewish convert?

Short Essay Questions

1. What condition is Elvira in in this section?

2. Why does Alatriste almost kill Alquezar?

3. What does Conde de Guadalmedina say are the intentions of the Inquisiton?

4. What does Olivares say will happen to Inigo in the coming weeks?

5. Why does Alatrste think he is safe in the gambling house?

6. Why does Inigo feign sleep when Alatriste arrives home?

7. What does Sladana tells Alatriste in this section?

8. How does Elvira incriminate Inigo in this section?

9. What does Jose Pellicer say in his weekly bulletin?

10. In what way could the fight between Alquezar and Alatriste be seen as ridiculous?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What was the Spanish Inquisition? Why is the Inquisition so infamous? How does the author represent the Inquisition in the novel and does his representation compare to other representations in popular culture?

Essay Topic 2

In what way was Spain in decline during the time book's setting? How does the author express this decline? What effect does the country's decline have on the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the structure of the book. How does the author use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

Discuss the following elements of the narrative structure: Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 913 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample