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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 does Mona keep telling Morrigan?

2. What is the clacking noise the doctor hears as he is preparing to leave?

3. What does Mona tell the doctor they need?

4. Where do Ash and the other Taltos with him eventually settle?

5. What intrigued the Taltos about the human children?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ash come to write the book Stuart had in his possession?

2. How does Ash hear about Christianity and how does he feel about that religion?

3. How did many Taltos women die, and what happens when a Taltos dies? Why was life good for the Taltos?

4. What was happening in some of the Taltos villages in relation to humans and how does Ash and his people respond to the happenings?

5. What does Granny tell Mona about walking babies?

6. What is the problem between witches and the Talos, and what is the rumor about Taltos's blood and witches? How was Taltos blood introduced into the human race?

7. What does Mona tell Mary Jane about her baby and what do they decide to do?

8. What does Rowan tell Ash about Michael's fears about telling Ash the truth?

9. Where did Ash's group of Taltos eventually settle and how was their life? For what were the circle of stones used? What was one of the differences between Taltos babies in their new location as opposed to their old one?

10. Why did some Taltos leave the paradise, what happens to the paradise and how do the Taltos feel about life in their new location? Why did Ash worry about the Taltos?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are several non-human sentient beings in Taltos, in addition to non-human entities that are not fully sentient. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss Ash. Who is he? What are his powers? What is his purpose? Is he "good" or "evil"? What does he look like physically? What role does he play in forwarding the plot? Is he believable? Why or why not.

2. Thoroughly discuss Samuel. Who is he? What are his powers? What is his purpose? Is he "good" or "evil"? What does he look like physically? What role does he play in forwarding the plot? Is he believable? Why or why not.

3. Thoroughly discuss Rowan. Who is she? What are her powers? What is her purpose? Is she "good" or "evil"? What does she look like physically? What role does she play in forwarding the plot? Is he believable? Why or why not.

4. Do you think sentient, non-human beings adds to the enjoyment of Taltos? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 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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