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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. Who does Harry think might be responsible for her luck?

2. How many riders from the village ride out with Harry's group the next day?

3. Who is the local leader at the village where Harry's group arrives?

4. Who are the legendary archers of Damar?

5. What does Richard know that Harry never did?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Harry feel when she realizes she has lost her sash and how does Jack receive the group?

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

3. What does Jack do when he hears Harry and what does Tom Lloyd notice about Harry?

4. What does Corlath tell Harry about the cottage and his mother?

5. What does Harry do to defeat the Northern army?

6. How does Harry get into Jack's residence?

7. What does Luthe advise Harry about her questions about her future?

8. What does Corlath explain about his plans for the army, what does Harry ask about, what is Corlath's response and how does Harry feel about his response?

9. What does Harry ask Jack and how does Jack feel about her and her request?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Harry begins the novel as a displaced woman who has been sent to another part of the country to live with non-relatives upon the death of her father. She does not fit in well with the people around her, and though she adapts to her new circumstances, she seems to be basically drifting through life. By the end of the novel, in a very short time, Harry is a powerful, respected person who has become the queen of her great-grandmother's people -- people she never knew she was related to at the beginning of the novel.

1. Do you think the time frame of the huge changes in Harry's life are the least bit realistic? Why or why not? Use examples from "The Blue Sword" and your own life to support your answer.

2. Harry is kidnapped and taken to another culture without her consent, yet in a short time, she is learning to ride and fight and then, in a few weeks she manages to win a riding-fighting contest against people who have been practicing these skills all their lives. Do you think it is too much a stretch of the imagination for Harry to be able to win the laprun with such little time to learn the skills and does this lessen your enjoyment of the book? Why or why not? Use examples from "The Blue Sword" and your own life to support your answer.

3. What do you think it suggests about Harry's character that she is able to almost immediately care for the man who kidnapped her, setting aside her anger within days? Use examples from "The Blue Sword" and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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