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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. After the play, Severian falls asleep and dreams of whom?

2. When a new woman is brought to the guild, to which cell is she assigned?

3. What do the boys swim across on their way back from the graveyard?

4. Following breakfast with Dr. Talos and Baldanders, what catches Severian's attention outside of a shop?

5. Who explains to the waitress that they will be putting on a play?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Agilus, why did the masked man challenge Severian?

2. What does Severian do for Thecla that breaks a rule of the guild?

3. Why does Master Gurloes ask Severian if he wants to be a torturer?

4. What does Thecla hope the Autarch will do?

5. What reason does Master Palaemon give Severian that the guild is unable to punish or kill Severian for helping Thecla?

6. Why isn't the guild able to pass judgement on the people who are sent there?

7. Why do Severian and the other boys sneak to the gate of the graveyard?

8. What happens to anything that touches the leaves of an avern?

9. What does Severian keep from his friends about his near drowning in the river?

10. How is Severian saved from drowning in the river as he and the other apprentices return home from the graveyard?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does the author use past tense to tell this story? What purpose does it serve? Does it add to or detract from the story? Would the story work if told in any other tense?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the relationship between Jonas and Severian. Why doesn't Jonas tell Severian that he is part machine? What does their friendship show about Severian's sense of loyalty?

Essay Topic 3

How does the author build a sense of mystery in Shadow & Claw? What purpose does the element of mystery serve? Provide specific examples of mysterious events or statements to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 580 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample