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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. When he exits the caves, what does Severian have to dodge?

2. When does Jonas capture the beast that killed the soldier?

3. What do the prisoners tell Severian and Jonas happens to the prisoners there?

4. Who does Severian find out Jolenta is after her death?

5. Who has a part in a play ready for Severian when they meet in the garden at the House of Absolute?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Dr. Talos and Baldanders plan to do when they leave the group toward the end of the book?

2. Why does Jonas leave Severian and Agia alone while he goes to get the horses?

3. Why does Severian stop to look for his missing sword before he leaves the cave where the beasts attacked him?

4. When Severian finds Dr. Talos and the others in the garden at the House of Absolute, what is Dr. Talos doing?

5. Why is Severian unable to kill Agia?

6. Following the feast, Severian and Jonas are captured by guards. Where are they taken?

7. What reason does the green man give Severian for his being green?

8. What does Severian say about the magic fountain that leads the reader to believe it may have been correct about Severian's future?

9. Why does Severian gain Thecla's memories and thoughts?

10. During the last play in the book, what happens that makes Severian think there will be a lot of trouble?

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Severian as the protagonist of Shadow & Claw. How does he fit the role of protagonist? Does a torturer and executioner seem a likely hero? Why or why not? Is the character of Severian believable as a man of honor?

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