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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. Who is Jenny Fleming?

2. Which of the following does NOT get caught in a cage on the court's journey?

3. What does Robin ask Thady to do?

4. Lymond works for himself because _______________________.

5. Who is Robin Stewart?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is learned about O'LiamRoe's attraction to Oonagh?

2. What is the significance of the riddle at the beginning of the chapter referring to bees living in the trees of royalty?

3. What life-threatening secret is Lymond forced to keep as he performs and entertains at court one night?

4. What information does Tom Erskine let slip about the Queen Mother?

5. Explain how O'LiamRoe is duped into an unfortunate encounter with the King and what the King's reaction is.

6. Who is Jenny Fleming? How is her daughter more like the mother in this relationship?

7. What raucous and wild activities as mentioned in the riddle take place in this chapter?

8. What is the source of much of the conflict in Europe in the mid-1500s?

9. Explain what happens when a cheetah attacks during the court's hunt.

10. What information is provided at the beginning of the book to help the reader understand the characters and setting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Mary Queen of Scots. What did she look like? What were her positive personality traits? What were some of her negative characteristics? What were her hopes and fears? What motivated her throughout her life?

Essay Topic 2

Dorothy Dunnett is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphor, and irony, and briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

Ambition takes on an almost human persona in this book. What is this literary technique called? What was the source of some of the characters' ambitions? What did they covet? Why were they consumed with attaining their goals? Cite examples that support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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