The Black Cauldron

by Lloyd Alexander

Grades 4-8; Genre - Fantasy; 760L; AR pts. 7.0

In Prydain, a young Assistant Pig-Keeper achieves honor in a quest to destroy the evil Black Cauldron.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

1. Summarize this introduction. Taran is reunited with his friends; a council is held in Caer Dallben; Prince Gwydion shares what is happening; Arawn is killing innocent people to put in the Black Cauldron to raise them from the dead and become His servants; Gwydion‘s plan is to destroy the cauldron p.1

Chapter 2

1. Describe Ellidyr. Prince from the Northern Lands who is the youngest of his brothers without much inheritance; arrogant; only has his name and sword; prideful; disdainful towards Taran and calls him a pig-boy p.21

Chapter 3

1. Describe Adaon. He has knowledge and experience in many areas; trustworthy; humble; kind; has dreams during the night that are symbolic and can tell the future p.42

Chapter 4

1. Why is it a problem the cauldron has been taken? It could have been placed into different evil hands p.52

Chapter 5

1. Why didn’t Taran and his group want to kill the huntsman? If one dies, the rest get stronger p.58

Chapter 6

1. Describe Wystyl. Of the Fair Folk; guard at the way station; sickly; tall for a dwarf and thin with droopy facial features; wrinkled forehead; ragged clothing; not wanting to help the band p.64

Chapter 7

1. Do you agree with Taran’s decision at the end of this chapter? Why or why not? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 8

1. Why did Adaon ask Taran to be the charger of his horse, herbs and brooch if something happened to him? He knew he was going to die p.93

Chapter 9

1. What gave Adaon his gift of knowledge and foresight? The brooch from his fiancé; it is magical p.105

Chapter 10

1. Describe what the companions found when they arrived at the cottage. It was empty; broken pieces of crockery; rusted weapons; heaped up and disorderly p.118
2. Predict who is talking to the companions at the end of the chapter. Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 11

1. Was your prediction correct? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer
2. What is one word you would use to describe the three women in this chapter? Witches; magical; etc. p.120

Chapter 12

1. Summarize this chapter. The women know Dallben and have the black cauldron; they won’t give it to the companions p.129

Chapter 13

1. Summarize how the companions found the cauldron. Gurgi went into the hen house to get straw to sleep in for the night and found it under the straw p.144

Chapter 14

1. Predict how the companions get the cauldron. Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 15

1. What does the word “sacrifice” mean? a loss or something you give up, usually for the sake of a better cause.
2. Why were Taran’s friends willing to sacrifice their most precious items? So, he wouldn’t have to give up the brooch p.162

Chapter 16

1. Describe how Taran is feeling trying to get the cauldron to Caer Dallben. Frustrated, tired, hopeless p.173

Chapter 17

1. Explain why Ellidyr attacked Taran? He sees Taran as a threat and doesn’t believe he’ll keep his word p.193

Chapter 18

1. Summarize this chapter. King Morgant finds Taran and his companions and takes them to his camp; they find Ellidyr tied and beat up; Morgant binds the companions; they are now his prisoners p.195

Chapter 19

1. Describe King Morgant. Evil; pretended to heed Gwydion’s command to get the cauldron for his own doing p.207
2. Summarize Taran and Ellidyr’s conversation at the end of this chapter. Ellidyr realizes the black beast over him and admits it to Taran; he apologizes and explains he wouldn’t have used the cauldron for evil; Taran believes him p.216

Chapter 20

1. Summarize the conclusion to this story. Doli is invisible and unties the companions; Ellidyr runs to the cauldron and jumps in, sacrificing himself to destroy it; King Smoit rides in and kills the king; Gwydion also arrives; King Morgant, Ellidyr and King Smoit’s men are all buried and honored; Taran and his companions return to Caer Dallben p.217