The Castle of Llyr
by Lloyd Alexander
Grades 4-8; Genre - Fantasy; GRL W; AR pts. 7.0
When Eilonwy is put under a deep spell, Taran and his companions set out on a dangerous quest to rescue her. Yet how can a lowly Assistant Pig-Keeper hope to stand against the most evil enchantress in all of Prydain?
Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1
- Describe Prince Rhun. Clumsy, kind, son of the king and queen Eilonwy is going to live with, blond hair, blue eyes, happy and carefree, naive p.1
- Why is Taran jealous of him? Eilonwy thinks he’s polite; he’s a prince and Taran is an assistant pig-keeper p.18
Chapter 2
- Why is Lord Gwydion pretending to be a cobbler in the palace? He’s undercover to protect Eilonwy and Taran p.29
Chapter 3
- How could Taran have communicated with Eilonwy better in this chapter? How? Listen to your child’s answer p.40
Chapter 4
- Summarize this chapter. After the feast, Gurgi guards Eilonwy’s chamber and Taran leaves the castle to follow Magg to the harbor; Magg lights a torch and signals to a ship that’s holding Achren; Gwydion saves Taran from being spotted by Magg; Taran guards Eilonwy’s door; at breakfast, Taran couldn’t find Magg or Eilonwy p.42
Chapter 5
- Summarize what the King asks of Taran and why it is conflicting for Taran? To protect Prince Rhun; the prince is betrothed to Eilonwy; Taran loves Eilonwy p.59
Chapter 6
- Summarize this chapter. Taran finds the prince slept in a small, abandoned hut; they learn that a very small person practiced growth spells on a small mountain lion; something large attacks Taran p.68
Chapter 7
- Describe Llyan. A mountain lion as large as a horse, sleek and muscular, strong and deadly p.79
- Predict how the companions will escape Llyan? Listen to your child’s answer
Chapter 8
- Was your prediction correct? Listen to your child’s answer
- How did the companions escape? Llyan fell asleep p.90
Chapter 9
- Summarize how the companions were able to finish the raft? Kaw distracted Llyan p.97
Chapter 10
- Who did the companions find in this chapter? How? Glew; they fell into a pit and became trapped; they tied to find a way to the surface p.111
Chapter 11
- Describe Glew. The little man from the hut that turned himself to a giant; selfish and sought fame instead of accepting who he was; trapped in the caverns; he was small when he came into the caverns but drank a portion and grew; he’s too large now to escape; trapped the companions and wants their help p.112
Chapter 12
- Explain what helped Taran change his mind about Prince Rhun. The prince offered his life to save the rest of them p.132
- How did this change Taran’s mind? It was very noble of Print Rhun to sacrifice himself for them.
Chapter 13
- Summarize this chapter. Prince Rhun climbed up the companion’s manmade ladder and escaped with the bauble; Glew opened the cavern, and the other three companions fought him; the prince came back and shined the bauble, defeating Glew p.134
Chapter 14
- What is the greatest secret Fflewder spoke of on page 151? The secret to thinking about others and not yourself.
Chapter 15
- Why will it be difficult to free Eilonwy? She doesn’t recognize Taran and won’t want to go with him p.165
Chapter 16
- Explain how is Achren clever with the way she has imprisoned Eilonwy. Achren has cast an enchantment on Eilonwy to give her allegiance and forget who her friends are p.169
Chapter 17
- Choose a word to describe Gurgi in this chapter and explain why you chose that word. Humble; he forgave Eilonwy for hurting him p.178
Chapter 18
- Explain the effect the bauble has on Eilonwy. It brings back the memory of who she really is p.187
Chapter 19
- Why didn’t Gwydion want to kill Achren? She lost her power and is not a threat anymore; he didn’t want to kill just to get vengeance, he is merciful and kind p.197
Chapter 20
- Summarize the conclusion to this story. Eilonwy wakes up and remembers everyone and what happened to her; Taran knows he must say good-bye and go back to Caer Dallben; Eilonwy said she won’t marry Prince Rhun p.199