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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. How does the gholam kill?

2. What decision does Tylin make at the opening to Chapter 28?

3. Why do Cadsuane and Min leave the room where they are with Rand?

4. Where does Rand go after fighting?

5. About whom does the innkeeper ask?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do the Far Madding guards do to swords of visitors who wish entry into the city?

3. Why does Cadsuane slap Rand?

4. How do Lan, Rand, and Nynaeve deal with some assassins on Blue Carp Street?

5. Where is Rand after the assassination attempt and how is he rescued?

6. Why is Alanna angry with Rand and how does he respond?

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

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

9. What has Birgitte been busy doing that Mellar reports?

10. Where is Tylin going when Mat rides with her to the city gates?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Elayne is one of the three women that Min saw in Rand's future, along with herself. The third is the Aiel woman, Aviendha.

Discuss the following: Why do you think Jordan has Rand romantically involved with three women? Does Rand's involvement with three women throughout the series add or subtract from the main story? Explain your reasoning. Do you think it is believable that the three women are willing to share Rand's affections? Why? Does it seem misogynistic of the author to have Rand involved with three women?

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

As in many fantasy novels, magic is an inherent part of a few of the characters and can be wielded by other characters, though not as an inherent aspect of their nature.

Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the use of magic/channeling source in "Winter's Heart". Who possesses the ability to channel source as an inherent aspect of their nature? How does the inequality between those who can channel and those who can affect the plot of "Winter's Heart"?

2. Why do you think magic exists in so many fantasy novels? Do you think a novel can be "fantasy" without any magic as a part of the storyline? Why?

3. Would you desire to possess the ability to use magic if there were such a talent in our world? Why? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of possessing such an ability?

(see the answer keys)

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