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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. Who does Stuart use as a defense against Ash killing him?

2. What does Rowan think Lasher wrote before his mind deteriorated?

3. Where does Rowen want Mona to go with her?

4. To whom does Yuri send word of his well being?

5. How old is Mary Jane?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ash ask Yuri to do and what does Ash tell Yuri he must not do?

2. With whom do Michael and Rowan meet in London and what does he tell them?

3. What does Ash say about humans' reaction to him?

4. What does Rowan remember at the morgue and what does she think about the people who love her?

5. What does Ash do when he meets Stuart, how does Stuart respond and where do they go?

6. Why is Stuart angry at Marklin and Tommy, how does Marklin respond and what does Tommy say about the situation?

7. Where does the woman in the Motherhouse take Ash, and what does he do there?

8. What do Marklin, Tommy and Stuart discover when they go to the Motherhouse and what do the Talmasca offer Stuart? How does Stuart respond?

9. What does Yuri tell Rowan and Michael about the Little People, and what does Rowan say is the first step?

10. What happens when Ash meets Tessa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Taltos is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Taltos and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Taltos is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Taltos. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Rice chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Rice chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Rice's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Rice use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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