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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. Derfel serves as a skillful interpreter, arranging with Therdig a meeting with the ____ next day.

2. . Pagans and Christians agree that the Isle is a ____ place.

3. Malldynn attacks, craving ____.

4. Merlin enters majestically with dire threats of retribution for ____.

5. Nimue is labeled a ____.

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Derfel describe the battle of Lugg Vale?

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

3. Explain Gorfyddyd's promises about sparing everyone and about Mordred and how others react to them and what impact that could have on Arthur.

4. Why do you think that Derfel and Galahad became such good friends?

5. Explain how the line between Christians and Pagans are blurred as they all prepare to battle again.

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

7. Do you agree with Tewdric's reaction to the battle?

8. Explain why Arthur feels dirty during the confrontation with Aelle. Do you agree with Arthur's actions during that confrontation?

9. 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.

10. Define the relationship between Derfel and Tanaburs and how that relationship is resolved at the end of the book.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Arthur essentially takes Derfel under his wing when Derfel is a boy.

Part 1: Do you thinkt hat Arthur took an immediate liking to Derfel because the two of them were so much alike, or do you think that Arthur shaped Derfel to be a bit like him later on in the story? Use at least two examples to back up your answer.

Part 2: Derfel views Arthur as a cross between a father figure and a God at various points. Do you think that Derfel is right about Arthur or do you think that Arthur has a bad side that Derfel is somehow not noticing? Use at least two examples from the story to back up your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The novel teaches many life lessons. Choose any two lessons that you learned from the novel and explain where in the novel those lessons are taught, as well as what you learned from them or what point you feel the author was trying to get across with them.

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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