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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 color are Corlath's eyes?

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

3. What does Jack hope is the reason Corlath is coming to see Sir Charles?

4. Why do Harry and Mathin leave camp at dawn?

5. Why are there things Mathin cannot teach Harry?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

3. What type of trouble with neighboring nations does Sir Charles talk about?

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

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

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

7. Why is Richard worried about Harry and how does she settle in her new home?

8. Why do the girls decide to return to Harry's home and what do they find there? What is strange about it to them?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 "The Blue Sword" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "The Blue Sword" 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 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Robin McKinley.

2. What in McKinley's background may have helped him in writing "The Blue Sword"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

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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