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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 orders does Elayne issue?

2. According to the innkeeper at Bethamin's inn, who is looking for Bethamin?

3. What does Rand hear about Far Madding?

4. Where do Cadsuane and Alanna visit Rand and Min?

5. What does Elayne offer to do if the army will pass through Andor peaceably?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Bethamin Zeami's goal and how is that difficult to achieve?

2. What does a Seeker of Truth want with Bethamin?

3. How does Mat save the Aes Sedai, Joline, from capture by the Seanchan?

4. What upsets Barsalla about the source-blocking device when he is meeting with Cadsuane?

5. Where do Elayne and Egwene visit in the dream world and what do they do?

6. What important work do Rand and Nynaeve accomplish with the Choedan Kal?

7. What does Lews Therin say in Rand's head when Rand arrives in Far Madding?

8. What agreement do Elayne and the commander of an army that is camped near Caemlyn make?

9. What decisions does Elayne have to make with advice of Norry?

10. How is Mat preparing to leave the palace without Tylin noticing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wise Ones of the Aiel are similar to Aes Sedai in that they are able to wield the One Power. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast Wise Ones to Aes Sedai. Would you rather join the ranks of the Wise Ones or Aes Sedai if you knew you could channel? Explain fully.

2. All Wise Ones are not good, nor are all Aes Sedai good. What are the increased dangers of those who can channel being Darkfriends versus just normal human beings? Why do you think there more Darkfriends among the Aes Sedai than among the Wise Ones?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of power throughout "Winter's Heart". What are symbols of the theme? Who is most powerful? Least powerful? Does power rest in the hands of both good and evil characters? Do the "good" characters always use power in a beneficial way?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of magic throughout "Winter's Heart". What are the properties of magic? Can anyone wield magic? What are the limitations of magic? Is magic considered a positive or negative attribute? Or does it depend upon who is using magic?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of evil throughout "Winter's Heart". Who are evil? Is is always clear? Are evil people always evil? Do "good" people ever do "evil" actions? How do evil characters hide among those fighting for the good?

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