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. What surprises Innath?

2. How many of the Riders go with Corlath into the mountains?

3. What impresses Jack about Harry?

4. Who is Kentarre?

5. Whose help does Harry seek?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Corlath take Harry to stay near the palace and what does he say about the place?

2. Who arrives after Harry gets back through the gap, what does Harry learn from Jack at that arrival and what does the person who comes say to Harry?

3. What do Harry's group and the men with Jack do after they eat breakfast and what does Jack think about where they are going and what is Senay's response to his concern?

4. What does Harry do as Corlath and the army are leaving Luthe's and what does Luthe say to her?

5. What does Harry do the first night in Luthe's hall, what does she want to know and what does he ask her?

6. What do Jack and Harry see when they look though the gap after a unnatural North wind begins to blow and what do they do?

7. How do Harry and Sir Charles and Amelia reconcile and what is the end result of relations between the Hill folk and the Homelanders?

8. What does Harry do after her argument with Corlath over the Outlanders?

9. Who joins the group at a lunch stop and what does she tell Harry?

10. What does Harry do about the wounded in Corlath's camp?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or ideas that are not a part of the "real" world. In the case of "The Blue Sword", much of the setting may seem familiar to the reader (i.e. there are woods, mountains, rivers, oceans, etc.), though there are new ideas and terms to learn. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of the world of "The Blue Sword" that occur in the "real" world but are used differently in the book.

2. Define the words as used in "The Blue Sword" world and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language.

3. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the world of "The Blue Sword". Did you have to look up any words? What does it mean to learn a word through its context? Do you have to do that in "The Blue Sword"? What word(s)?

4. Were there any words you never really understood from "The Blue Sword"? Which ones?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in this story. 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 McKinley chooses the symbols he 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 McKinley chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss McKinley'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 McKinley 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).

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,484 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample