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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. ____ is the name of the High King who was in his last year, as the monk's story began.

2. During another morale-building tour of the library, Derfel is put under oath to save Fr. Celwin's ____.

3. Nimue and Derfel lie together in the dreadful ____.

4. ____ swears to kill Gundleus if he is released for political reasons.

5. When Powys attacks Gwent, the ____ join the fray.

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the evil acts that Gundelus does involving Norwenna and Nimue.

2. Explain the consequences of Arthur marrying Guinevere.

3. Explain the High Council's attitude toward what is going on with Arthur and Mordred as they hold their meeting.

4. Who is Nimue according to the description in the first part of the book?

5. Explain how Arthur winds up killing Owain.

6. Explain the ceremonial process of baby Mordred becoming king.

7. Explain why Uther holds the first High Council in Britain in sixty years.

8. Why does Derfel understand, and even respect, Arthur's plan to elope?

9. Explain how Guinevere's discussion with Derfel about her feelings for Gorfyddyd upset Derfel and how Derfel handles the situation.

10. Explain how the meeting between Gorfyddyd, Cuneglas and Arthur gives further detail tot he marriage plan that Arthur has and how, in general, marriages seem to be used in Arthur's time.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A big problem in the book is the conflict between the Pagan and Christian religions.

Part 1: Explain the differences between the two religions, based on what you learned in the book. Use at least three specific examples from the book to back up your answer.

Part 2: List at least three Pagan characters and at least three Christian characters in the book, besides Derfel, who are at different points.

Part 3: Why do you feel that, in modern times, people of different religions can coexist peacefully, but they couldn't in Arthur's times?

Essay Topic 2

Tristan brings to light the topic of standing up for what we think is right, despite what others, especially parents or elders, think.

Part 1: Do you think that Tristan was right to defy his father? Why or why not?

Part 2: What could the consequences be for Tristan's actions and what might the consequences have been for not following his instincts?

Part 3: List 3 present-day situations where it might be necessary to follow one's own instincts, despite what parents or elders might say.

Essay Topic 3

One of the major themes of the book is religion.

Part 1: Explain how religion fuels war in the novel.

Part 2: Choose any time in the character when religious lines seem blurred and describe it.

Part 3: Derfel goes through a religious transformation, as the story progresses. Describe what religion he starts out a member of, what religion he winds up a member of and why you feel that transformation took place. Do you feel that it was a good transformation? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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