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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 standing outside the house when the girls arrive?

2. Why are there things Mathin cannot teach Harry?

3. What does Corlath hope as he looks down on a sleeping Harry?

4. For what was Corlath asking at the meeting?

5. How was Harry treated by her father and his friends?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Corlath ask from the Homelanders, and what is their response?

2. What does Harry do after breakfast, who befriends her and what does Corlath do to prepare her for the rest of the journey?

3. What are Jack's hopes about Corlath?

4. What does King Corlath look like, and what kind of mood is he in when the girls arrive at the residence?

5. What does Mathin tell Harry about Forloy, and what does Harry realize about her knowledge of Hill culture?

6. Where is Harry sent to live, why does she go there, who is she going to live with and what is her new home like?

7. How does Harry do in the trials and what happens during her last challenge?

8. What does Harry do after dinner, and what does Corlath think as he looks at Harry?

9. What is Corlath feeling as he leaves the Residency, and what is having to do as he is leaving and why?

10. What kind of news does Sir Charles announce at breakfast?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harry is in some ways a larger-than-life heroine. Despite incredible odds, she comes out on top, such as winning the laprun or destroying the Northern army. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life heroine make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on her feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Harry who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "The Blue Sword". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "The Blue Sword". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "The Blue Sword". Consider the death of Harry's old life as well as the death of the members of the army killed in action.

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "The Blue Sword" is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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