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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. The confrontation between ____ and Derfel brings things full-circle because, early in the book one had tried to kill the other.

2. Unexpectedly, Tristan arrives with ____ fighters from Kernow, against his father's orders.

3. Returning to Arthur, Derfel learns that Guinevere is ____.

4. The wedding gift is to be ____'s head.

5. To prevent encirclement up the steep hillside, Nimue constructs a ghost ____ of severed heads.

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how the end of the section where Arthur tries to get Lancelot and Galahad to make up lays the framework for Derfel's next mission.

2. Who is Malldynn and what lesson can be learned from Derfel's encounter with Malldynn.

3. Do you agree with Arthur's attitude towards his enemies?

4. When Derfel is recognized, describe who comes to his rescue and how.

5. Explain what Arthur says tot he men before the battle, how the men react and what that says about Arthur's strength of character.

6. Although the book seems, originally, to be about Arthur, who is the book really about and why?

7. Explain what Cenwin's search for scrolls reveals.

8. Explain the two main parts of the battle plan.

9. How do Derfel and Nimue escape from the Isle Of The Dead?

10. Do you agree with Tristan arrives with six fighters from Kernow against his father's orders? Why or why not?

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

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?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Lancelot and Galahad. What makes one better than the other at certain things? For example, even though Lancelot is a liar, is he a better fighter than Galahad? Why or why not? Is Galahad automatically a better person than Lancelot, since, presumably, Galahad does not lie or does Galahad have other faults? If so, what are they?

(see the answer keys)

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