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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. What is Mat hoping to do?

2. What is a gai'shain?

3. Who expresses concern for Elayne's safety when they are riding through the streets of Caemlyn?

4. Why does Faile almost freeze during the march?

5. Whom does Therava want Faile and others to spy upon?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Shaido view their captives?

2. What does Elayne question Reene Harfor about and what is her reply?

3. Describe the meeting among several of the Forsaken.

4. What makes Perrin Aybara think there is something wrong as he approaches his camp?

5. What does Rolan do when Faile is too slow and why does that put her in more danger?

6. Describe the scouting party's activities.

7. What happens to Elayne after her midday meal?

8. Who has taken over Ebou Dar and what are the conquerors like?

9. What do Min and Elayne discuss?

10. With whom has Perrin Aybara been meeting and how does he feel about what transpires in the beginning?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Traveling in the "Wheel of Time" series evolves, a phenomenon that also helps the book's pacing. First, in early novels in the series, Rand and the others travel by foot and horse; then the "Ways" are introduced, which significantly cuts down on the time it takes to get from one point to another. In even later books in the series, such as in "Shadow Rising", Rand uses a portal stone for travel across vast distances; however, one must first walk to a portal stone, so the travel cannot be said to be instantaneous. Finally, in even later books, including "Winter's Heart", a technique called "Traveling" is introduced where a doorway is magically "sliced" into the air and one can instantly be where s/he wants to go.

Discuss the following: What is the advantage of having the characters travel by horse and foot across long distances requiring significant amounts of time? What are the disadvantages? How is the plot affected when the time it takes to travel from point A to point B is drastically reduced? Give examples from "Winter's Heart". How would one or two scenes in "Winter's Heart" be affected if Rand or any other channeling individual could not instantly move from one place to another? Why do you think Jordan does not introduce the gateway means of travel until later books in the series, including "Winter's Heart"?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation that the Seanchan who leash and control the damane can actually channel also. What other irony can you find in "Winter's Heart"? Do you think irony enhances the book? Why?

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from "Winter's Heart". What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in "Winter's Heart" and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why? Some possible devices are allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

Essay Topic 3

The word "ta'veren" is used frequently in "Winter's Heart" and in all the other books in Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Discuss the following: Explain the concept of ta'veren and give examples of it to illustrate your explanation. Do you think Jordan uses instances of ta'veren as a narrative contrivance? Why? Give examples to support your stance. How do you think the concept of ta'veren adds to the complexity of the novel? Explain using examples.

(see the answer keys)

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