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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 difficult is it for Richard to break into Lord Horn's house?

2. What is Alec doing when Richard returns home, after going out?

3. Where does Richard go to find Michael?

4. Who knocks Michael out after the duel?

5. How does Ginnie react to Richard's decision about the kidnappers' demands?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lord Horn feel when he finds Richard has broken into his house?

2. During his meeting with the Duchess, what does Richard learn about the betting about him?

3. What happens at the beginning of the formal inquiry into Lord Horn's death?

4. How does Basil Halliday react to the news of Lord Horn's death?

5. What does Richard say about the death of Lord Horn's swordsmen?

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

7. After Richard leaves the Duchess's estate, what is Alec's attitude?

8. What does Katherine think she recognizes about Alec?

9. What objection does Alec pose to writing the letter?

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

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the play "The Swordman's Tragedy" within the novel.

1) What does the play reflect about the novel itself? Why does the author include it?

2) How do the different characters react to the superstitions surrounding the play? How do the existence of these superstitions affect the reader?

3) How does Richard perceive the play? What is his point of view about the play before seeing it and after watching it?

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)

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