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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 is the value of the present Richard brings Alec?

2. Who does Brent insult?

3. What weapon does the woman who is accosted by a drunk in the Three Keys Tavern have to defend herself with?

4. Who does Lord Horn ask Richard to kill in a letter?

5. How does Michael meet with Lord Horn, after Michael leaves his lover's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Richard say after he kills Brent?

2. What does Richard tell Katherine about Alec's background?

3. What message does Lord Ferris ask Katherine to send to Richard?

4. What explanation does Lord Ferris give Katherine for asking her to stay with himself, Lord Horn, and Basil?

5. Who do Richard and Alec meet as they watch the party, and what does this person tell Richard?

6. How does Richard describe his relationship with Alec to Katherine?

7. Why doesn't it matter what Michael is wearing at the Duchess's party?

8. What do the houses in Old Market look like?

9. What do Richard and Alec say about the Duchess, as they watch the party?

10. What is Michael's relationship with Vincent Applethorpe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The society of the nobles is filled with secrecy and manipulation. Discuss secrecy and manipulation and their role in the novel.

1) How do the nobles manipulate each other and those around them? What are they trying to achieve through manipulation? Use examples from the book.

2) What kinds of secrets do the characters in the novel keep, both about themselves and about others?

3) How does Alec's secrecy about his past differ from the noblemens' secrecy about their plots and schemes?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss rulership and leadership in the novel, where the nobility in the upper class has complete control over rulership of the country.

1) How do the nobles view rulership? What does the position of leader mean to the leadership themselves?

2) How does Basil view rulership? What is his goal as a leader, and the closest thing the society has to a king?

3) What qualities make a good leader in the novel? What qualities make a bad leader? Explain with examples of both good and bad leaders from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss fairness and equity in the book.

1) How are sword fights in the novel fair or unfair? How do the participants and audience benefit and suffer from them?

2) How are punishments meted out in the novel to the lower class and upper class? What roles do fairness and equity play in punishment and law?

3) What is fair or unfair about how Alec lures swordsmen to attack him and be killed? How does this relate to the class rules of the society?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 775 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample