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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 does Moiraine suggest to Faile?

2. What does Gill tell Mat about mentioning Tar Valon?

3. What is Aludra's occupation?

4. Who does Nynaeve impress with her medical knowledge?

5. Why is Nynaeve enraged after the fighting is over?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Perrin come by a large hammer when he arrives in Tear?

2. What does Egwene discover when she visits Tel'Aran'Rhiod?

3. What does Mat learn from Master Gill about the task of delivering the letter?

4. Why does Lan go after Moiraine even though she told him to set out for Tar Valon?

5. What does Perrin observe in the wolf dream with Hopper's help?

6. What is the result of Mat's first attempt to deliver Elayne's letter to her mother?

7. Why does Nynaeve seek a Wisdom when they arrive in Tear, and how does the Wisdom help them?

8. How do Egwene, Nynaeve and Elayne escape the Myrddraal?

9. How do Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne come to encounter some Maidens of the Spear?

10. Describe Egwene's first experience in Tel'Aran'Rhiod after using the ring to arrive there.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rand Al'thor is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in this book and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his 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 Rand 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 2

The word "ta'veren" is used frequently in The Dragon Reborn and in all the other books in Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Discuss the following:

1. Explain the concept of ta'veren and give examples of it to illustrate your explanation.

2. Do you think Jordan uses instances of ta'veren as a narrative contrivance? Why or why not. Give examples to support your stance.

3. How do you think the concept of ta'veren adds to the complexity of the novel? Explain using examples.

Essay Topic 3

The Dragon Reborn belongs to the literary genre of fantasy fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly define the term genre and offer examples of it from your own reading experience. Why do you think it is useful to categorize fiction into genres? What could be a disadvantage of doing so?

2. What do you think is the main motivation for a person to read a fantasy novel? Is entertainment a good enough reason? Are there any other reasons to read this genre? What? Explain fully.

3. In "academe," fantasy novels are often thought of as less literary than some other genres and for that reason are sometimes "snubbed" in the study of literature. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with this "snobbery"?

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