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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 stays behind as the dwarfs retreat?

2. Why does Matron Baenre think it is a good time to march on Mithral Hall?

3. Why does Lady Alustrial withhold herself from battle?

4. Why have the Harpells been called to Mithral Hall?

5. Why is Matron Baenre not happy about Blingdenstone?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Matron Baenre finally punish K'yorl?

2. How do Pwent and his men help Bidderdoo fulfill his mission?

3. For what is Bidderdoo responsible during the attack and what happens with him and the kobold?

4. Why does Errtu decide to obey Lolth?

5. What does Drizzt decide about Catti-brie and her battles?

6. How is Drizzt almost killed when he is battling a Minotau and how is he saved?

7. What does Drizzt discuss in his letter before Chapter Seventeen about the dwarfs and what does he say about them?

8. What does Frible tell Belwar about Blingdenstone?

9. What does Lady Alustriel do at the beginning of the battle and for what are her knights responsible?

10. Why does Jarlaxle decide to let Matron Baenre go ahead with her battle plans?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In some ways, a novel that includes magic is full of "narrative contrivances." Discuss the following:

1. Define and offer examples of the literary device "narrative contrivance."

2. Does the fact that magic can do or undo almost anything change the way one reads a book whose world includes magic? For example, if one of your favorite characters dies in a world of magic, might there always be the expectation that somehow that character is not really dead, that magic will change the fact? How does a setting that includes magic change the reading experience?

3. Since magic can make almost anything happen (or not happen), then would a book such as Siege of Darkness not actually need to contain any narrative contrivances? Explain.

4. Why do you think people like to read books about worlds that contain magic? Do you? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast SIEGE OF DARKNESS world to that of "real" life. What are the advantages to each world? The disadvantages?

2. In which world would you rather live in if you possess no magical abilities? Explain your response.

3. In which world would you rather live in if you possess magical abilities and Matron Baenre is the ruler of the world where you could practice magic? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Siege of Darkness is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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