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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 orders does Severian find on Master Gurloes' table?

2. Who is Hethor?

3. What kinds of weapons are carried by the person or people who attack the men in the graveyard?

4. What gift does Severian receive before leaving the guild?

5. What will happen to a person who is pricked by an avern?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the priestesses at the holy building search Agia?

2. Why does Severian say he wants to be a torturer?

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

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

5. What is Dorcas unable to do when she is pulled from the river?

6. Why does Severian put on his torturer's mask before entering the arena to duel?

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

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

9. How do Severian and his challenger attack each other with the averns?

10. What vision do Severian and Dorcas see following the duel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why is there so much fear in Shadow & Claw? What purpose does fear felt by the characters serve? In what ways does fear drive the plot?

Essay Topic 2

Death is treated with much ceremony and dignity throughout Shadow & Claw. What does this treatment of death reveal about Severian? What does it reveal about the author's own thoughts on death?

Essay Topic 3

Why is Severian in love with, or perhaps obsessed with, Agia even though she has proven herself to be unworthy of such attention? What about her seems to hold Severian's interest?

(see the answer keys)

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