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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 happens when Joan calls Covenant?

2. What does Mhoram say Covenant must do?

3. Who gives each council member duties to carry out?

4. What is Thomas Covenant's occupation in the "real" world?

5. For what sign was Amok waiting?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Covenant's response to being back in the land and why can't the people do as he asks?

3. What do Covenant and Lord Mhoram discuss?

4. What story does Covenant tell as the army arrives at the Rock Gardens of the Maerl?

5. What does the Prologue reveal about Thomas Covenant's past?

6. What does Hile Troy think of the Land?

7. What does Elena tell Amok and what does Amok respond and then do?

8. Who asks to meet with Covenant?

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

10. What does the man who picks up a hitchhiking Covenant say about a man in the next town?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the world of academe, fantasy fiction is often considered an inferior form of the novel compared to "classic" literature. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think fantasy fiction might be considered second-rate compared to the classics?

2. Do you think fantasy fiction has the same elements as the classics? Why or why not?

3. What are the purposes do you think for people reading "the classics"? What are the purposes for people reading fantasy fiction? Is one purpose better than another? Explain your response.

4. Would you read fantasy fiction even outside an educational setting? Why or why not

Essay Topic 2

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Thomas Covenant is no exception.

1. Trace and analyze situations when Covenant demonstrates his admirable traits. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Covenant's character flaws, and explain how the flaws create more complex and believable characters. How do you think either man's character flaws make some situations more difficult for him?

3. After analyzing Covenant's strengths and weaknesses, decide if Covenant is an appropriate "hero" of the story. Is there anyone else who might be a more admirable "hero"?

4. Answer the above questions for one other person you think could be considered a hero in The Illearth War.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Illearth War. Questions that Donaldson most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Donaldson' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Donaldson' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Donaldson and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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