View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Harry's friends join her of what do they speak?

2. What do several Riders do around the fire the night Harry is given her sash?

3. Who wakes Harry in the night?

4. Why does Richard feel Harry may have a problem in society?

5. What is standing outside the house when the girls arrive?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does the group talk about when Beth and Cassie join Harry, how does Harry learn more about Hillfolk, and why is Jack included in the dinner with their king?

4. What does Mathin show her about fire, what can he not teach her and why and what do they do after Harry's sixth week of training?

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

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

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

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

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Blue Sword". Questions that McKinley most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the McKinley' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss McKinley' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of McKinley and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes "The Blue Sword" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Harry. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Corlath. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Mathin. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,212 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample