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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. How does Richard respond to his friends who don't want him to see the performance?

2. What entertainment does Alec prod Richard into coming to, in Chapter 14?

3. What makes Richard curious enough to follow Michael?

4. What does Alec say about the Duchess's part in Lord Ferris's plan to kill Basil?

5. What happens to Lord Ferris's position as Dragon Chancellor?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Katherine think she recognizes about Alec?

2. How does Lord Ferris see his relationship with the Duchess?

3. What does the Duchess tell Alec about Richard and their relationship after Richard has left?

4. How do Alec and Richard react to Lord Horn lying at the trial?

5. Describe the Duchess and Michael's first night as lovers.

6. How did Katherine end her position with Lord Ferris?

7. Where does Richard meet Katherine after the trial?

8. What is Ginnie's reaction to the death of Lord Horn's swordsmen?

9. How do the men who capture Richard incapacitate him?

10. How does Richard feel about the duel he participates in during Chapter 16?

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 the setting of the novel.

1) How is the geographical layout of the town important to the novel? How do the different locations relate to and reveal different social classes?

2) What importance do different areas of Riverside have in the novel? What does the Old Market add to the story as a setting? What about the taverns in the novel?

3) What importance does the Duchess's barge have in the novel as a setting? What does the setting of the river add to the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Several characters move between social classes in the novel. Discuss moving between social classes in Swordspoint.

1) How does Katherine move out of Riverside and to the Hill? What is the cost and benefit of this move? Why does she make it? How does it change her life and status?

2) How does Alec move out of the Hill and into Riverside? What is the cost and benefit of this move? Why does he make it? How does it change his life and status?

3) How does Richard, as a swordsman, move between the upper and lower classes?

(see the answer keys)

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