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

2. What is the Warmark?

3. What is Amok to reveal to them?

4. Who wakens Covenant?

5. Who has been looking for Covenant?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. With what is Covenant still struggling and what is his fear about it?

4. What happens when Troy and Covenant come upon Trell Atiaran-mate?

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

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

7. What type of phone calls is Covenant receiving and what happens to the stables?

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

9. How is Covenant viewed in the Land?

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

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Thomas Covenant and Hile Troy. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Thomas Covenant and Elena. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Illearth War help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

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 Illearth War and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Illearth War 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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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