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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 is Amok?

2. What does Trell do when he loses himself for a moment?

3. How does Covenant go to town?

4. How many Bloodguard are to go with Shetra and Covenant?

5. What happens when Joan calls Covenant?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the meeting between Elena and Covenant in her room.

2. Who asks to meet with Covenant?

3. What happens in Elena's room while she and Covenant are waiting for a dream interpreter?

4. Who comes in from Ra and what news does the person bring?

5. What do Elena and Covenant say to Troy separately as they discuss Troy's army?

6. How does Troy react to the news about Lord Foul's army, and who is leading the army?

7. What does Lord Hyrim explain to Covenant when Hyrim wakes Covenant?

8. What happens to Covenant when the Sheriff takes him home?

9. Where is Covenant when Chapter 3 opens and what does he learn?

10. What does High Lord Elena assign?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Illearth War belongs to the fantasy genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fantasy genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a fantasy and a historical novel mystery?

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 Stephen R. Donaldson.

2. What in Donaldson's background may have helped him in writing The Illearth War? What may have influenced the way he 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

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Illearth War, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The Illearth War. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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