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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. Nimue is found in a cave curled up and ____.

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

3. Sansum administers the Holy ____.

4. ____ refuses to kill prisoners.

5. Derfel hides his anger when he finds ____ attending the council meeting, named head of the Durnovaria garrison to free Mordred's men for war.

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain what Arthur's reaction is when Gorfyddyd is mortally wounded and whether or not you agree with that reaction.

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

3. Explain how Arthur feels in this section of the book.

4. Arthur feels that the war is his fault. Do you agree with that assessment? Why or why not?

5. Explain what Queen Igraine thinks of Derfel's love for Ceinwyn and why Derfel takes offense to her opinion.

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

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

8. Do you agree with Nimue being imprisoned as a witch?

9. Describe the Isle Of The Dead and Derfel's journey into it.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Choose the character that you feel changed the most, as the story progressed, and answer the following questions about them:

1. What were they like in the beginning of the story?

2. What were they like at the end of the story?

3. When and why do you think the transition took place?

4. Do you feel that it was a good transition? Use at least two examples from the story to explain why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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