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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 Claire arrives, how old is Einar, the villager who tried to leave the village, but failed?

2. Who had kept Einar's father from flinging his infant body into the fire on the day of Einar's birth?

3. Einar tells Claire that he thinks it may be better to climb out in search of something rather than for what other reason?

4. Whose death provides Claire with a lesson about mortality before the death of Tall Andras's mother?

5. What object does Claire use for her stair-stepping exercises?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what element does Trademaster agree to trade Claire's son and what is the immediate result of the trade?

2. What is the significance of Claire's outburst after Bryn gives birth to a healthy baby girl?

3. What is the reason for Bryn's falling into despair and how does Alys try to help?

4. Though Alys is childless herself, what experience does she have that qualifies her for the care of Claire upon Claire's arrival in the village?

5. What idea does Einar get after seeing Claire hold Bryn's baby?

6. What is Claire's solution for quelling her fear of animals?

7. What examples of Einar's father's abuse within Einar's story involve Alys?

8. What advice does Alys give to Tall Andras when he expresses a romantic interest in Claire?

9. What is Trademaster's attitude toward Claire's longing for her son?

10. What elements of the job of fisherman make it dangerous for villagers who undertake the position?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how the choice of an omniscient narrator to tell the story of Claire's life enabled the author to bridge the gap between Claire's life within the dystopian community and the world in which the reader lives and works.

Essay Topic 2

The theme of power is one that comes up often within the novel's narrative, particularly in relation to the power wielded by the leaders of the community and their choice to control the actions of all community members. Other forms of power are present as well, such as the power Tall Andras assumes that he has over Claire upon her arrival within the village. Choose three instances when power is wielded by a particular character, organization, or group within the novel. Discuss how these instances help to shape the author's message regarding power.

Essay Topic 3

Many instances of irony are included in the novel's narrative, including the fact that Claire's preservation of her own life while climbing the cliff is dependent upon her killing of many baby seagulls within a nearby nest. Find three other instances of irony within the novel and discuss each instance's significance.

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