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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 does Harry fall asleep in peace after being woke?

3. Who wakes Harry in the night?

4. What is waiting for Harry when she wakes in the morning?

5. Who does Harry see leap out of the bonfire?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Harry and Mathin leave camp and who wakes Harry at night?

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

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

4. Why is Mathin a rider and why is he training Harry?

5. What does Harry see in the fire, what is her response and what is Corlath's response?

6. Why does Corlath want to take Harry and how does he do it?

7. Who does Amelia tell Harry to bring to lunch and what does Harry think of her new home?

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

9. What happens with Harry as the group travels and what does she realize about her home with Sir Charles and Lady Amelia?

10. How do those who grew up in Istan feel about the environment, and what does Harry discover about Jack and Istan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"The Blue Sword" belongs to the fantasy genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fantasy genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre, and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a fantasy and a historical novel mystery?

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 "The Blue Sword" 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

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "The Blue Sword", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "The Blue Sword". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,170 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample