BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSWill is a fifteen-year-old ward of Castle Redmont who dreams of following in his unknown father's footsteps by training at Battleschool to become a knight, but on Choosing Day he is turned away for being too small. When none of the Craftmasters will take him as an apprentice, the mysterious Ranger Halt steps forward and claims Will as his own, setting the boy on a path he never expected, one that will ask more of him than he imagined possible as dark forces from the kingdom's past begin to stir again.
Free Battle of the Books questions for The Ruins of Gorlan
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about The Ruins of Gorlan. Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book does a note read that a boy has the potential to be trained as a Ranger?
✓ Answer
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
The mysterious paper Halt gave the Baron reads, "The boy Will has the potential to be trained as a Ranger. I will accept him as my apprentice." This launches the unexpected new path for Will after his Battleschool rejection.
- First half
In what book does a thin scribe apprentice tell an imaginary court that a batch of pies are symphonies?
✓ Answer
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
George performs a mock courtroom toast, calling Jenny's pies symphonies rather than mere pies. His newfound legal flair contrasts with the stammering, shy boy he was on Choosing Day, showing how his apprenticeship has changed him.
- First half
In what book does a boy ride home during a tracking lesson, identifying rabbit and stoat tracks in the snow?
✓ Answer
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Halt teaches Will to track animals in fresh snow, including rabbits being pursued by a stoat. The Ranger emphasizes that the depth of tracks can reveal danger, useful skills for tracking enemy soldiers later.
- Second half
In what book does a boy bury his face in his teacher's cloak to hide his tears of relief?
✓ Answer
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
After the boar nearly kills him, Will is overcome with relief when Halt embraces him. Embarrassed by the streaming tears, he hides his face in the rough cloth of the Ranger's cloak, ashamed even though he cannot stop them.
- Second half
In what book are fifty cloaked scouts gathered with small shaggy horses for an annual assessment?
✓ Answer
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Will and Halt approach the Gathering Ground where rows of one-man tents and shaggy horses fill a clearing. The yearly meeting is when the entire Ranger Corps exchanges news, plans operations, and assesses apprentices.
- Near the end
In what book does a circle of ancient standing stones make an unending keening sound in the wind?
✓ Answer
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
The Stone Flutes are a circle of granite monoliths drilled with holes that catch the wind. The discordant moan can be heard from kilometers away and gradually wears the nerves of every traveler who passes near them.
