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

2. Tanaburs talks about controlling Derfel's mother's living soul by ____ her.

3. As Derfel confronts Tanaburs, who comes to deal with Gundleus?

4. Derfel has never ridden on a ____.

5. Derfel believes that Merlin has gone to ____ Nimue on the Isle Of The Dead.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain the strange battle rituals and attitudes between the opposing forces.

3. Describe everyone's arrival in Dumnonia after Merlin reveals himself.

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

5. Explain everyone's attitude towards the Blackshields.

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

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

8. 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.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The entire novel is told from Derfel's perspective, but perspective can alter the way a story is remembered or retold.

Part 1: How accurate or inaccurate do you think Derfel's perspective was throughout the story and why?

Part 2: Do you think that Derfel told the story with a specific emphasis on one particular theme, such as love, religion or honor, or do you think he told a well-rounded story?

Part 3: Which character in the story do you feel would have disagreed with Derfel's interpretation the most and why? Use at least two examples from the story to back up your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Betrayal is a major theme in the book. List three detailed examples of where betrayal comes into play in the story. Then, based on your answers and your other knowledge of the book, explain which character you feel betrayed other characters the most in the book. Do you feel that those acts of betrayal were justified in any way? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses the technique of foreshadowing at several points in the story.

Part 1: Define foreshadowing.

Part 2: Explain, in detail, two examples of how foreshadowing was used in the story.

Part 3: Do you feel that the two examples of foreshadowing that you listed were useful in the story? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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