A Wizard of Earthsea

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

1. Why is Sparrowhawk an appropriate name for Ged’s character?

A) His greatest desire is to fly.

B) His favorite animals are hawks.

C) He is untamed and elusive, like a flying bird.

D) He is fond of pouncing on his duties suddenly, like a hawk.

2. Why does his aunt agree to show him magic charms?

A) She thinks it will make him more useful at his chores.

B) She hopes to use his power by binding him to her service.

C) She fears he will cause trouble if he is not formally taught.

D) She wants to bond with her nephew.

3. Which of the following details about Earthsea subverts typical elements of the fantasy genre?

A) Magic and spellcasting come at a great cost to the caster, instead of being easy.

B) Women and men can both cast magic, rather than only men.

C) Wars are distant and long ago, rather than a major part of the plot.

D) The setting is the Bronze-Age archipelago, rather than the European Middle Ages.

4. If the power of magic is contained in words and language, then what does Ogion’s silence and reticence symbolize?

A) Silence balances sound, representing unity and maintaining the Equilibrium.