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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 Amok say he knows about white gold?

2. What bargain does Covenant make with himself?

3. What does Caerroil do with the piece of Illearth Stone that Flesharrow carries?

4. Who believes Elena will choose him?

5. Whose words is Covenant thinking about concerning the Land?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tull tell about the giants' home?

2. How does Covenant feel after refusing Elena's sexual advances?

3. Where is Troy marching his men and what does he try to convince them to believe?

4. How is Troy rendered unconscious?

5. What does Troy think about as he begins his ride to war?

6. What is Troy's strategy for his army at the opening of Chapter 19?

7. What does Covenant debate asking Elena and what is her answer when he finally asks her?

8. How do Covenant and Elena finally learn the name of the Seventh Ward?

9. Why does Troy think it is night when he wakes from unconsciousness?

10. What information is the Council finally able to coax out of Amok, and what do some of the Council members think about what they learn?

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

Characters are an important part of what makes The Illearth War interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Thomas Covenant. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Elena. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Hile Troy. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

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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