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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 old monk at the start of the book.

2. ____ is the thing of Britain that is discussed mainly at the High Council.

3. ____ is the type of miners that Cadwy plans to attack.

4. Arthur intends to marry Ceinwyn to Unite ____.

5. ____ is the name of the place that the queen at the start of the story is from.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mordred escape death at Gundleus' hands?

2. Do you think that it's good or bad that Ynys Trebes is full of poets instead of warriors?

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

4. Describe Norwenna's attitude, after Uther's death.

5. Describe the religious focus of Chapter 2.

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

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

8. Describe the baby that is born at the start of the novel.

9. Explain how Arthur uses bribery to get what he wants, but it backfires, in relation to Powys and Siluria. What does that say about bribery in general.

10. What gift does Ceinwyn give to Derfel, why does she give it, and why does it have significance to Derfel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses a technique of telling a story within a story. Using at least three examples from the novel, explain whether or not you feel that it was good for the author to tell the story through Derfel's eyes and have Derfel tell the story to the Queen. In other words, do you feel that Derfel's discussions with the Queen actually added anything to the story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Nimue is a major character in the story. Answer the following questions about her.

1. What is Nimue's relationship to Derfel?

2. What is Nimue's relationship to Merlin?

3. What are the first two of three wounds/problems that Nimue encounters that she thinks will make her more powerful and when does she acquire them.

4. Do you feel that Nimue is insane at any points in the story? If not, why not? If so, at what point or points? Use examples from the book to back up your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Love versus honor is a key theme in the novel. For example, Arthur promised to marry Ceinwyn and then did a dishonorable thing by eloping with Guinevere, but he did so because he was following his heart.

Part 1: Do you feel that Arthur was right to marry Guinevere? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think that Derfel agreed with Arthur's decision to marry Guinevere when most people viewed it as dishonorable?

Part 3: Is there another way in which Arthur could have married Guinevere and still kept peace with Gorfyddyd? What could he have tried, rather than eloping?

(see the answer keys)

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