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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. What do the nurses fail to notice about Nat?

2. What do Nat and Harry do during the afternoon performance?

3. What does Nat say as to how his father died?

4. What is the date of the opening of Chapter 1?

5. Of what does Nat dream?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Nat wake in the beginning of Chapter 4?

2. Where do the apprentices go after classes?

3. With whom does Nat live in London and how does he feel about them?

4. What does Arby point out to Nat in the first reading of one play?

5. What happens to the Nat who is now in 1999?

6. How do Arby and Gill have a small confrontation and what is the result?

7. What happens with Nat in Chapter 3?

8. What is happening to the Nat that is transported to 1999?

9. What happens to make Nat feel uncomfortable with his fellow actors?

10. How does Nat increase his acting skills, in particular playing the character of Puck?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "King of Shadows", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements of "King of Shadows". (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

King of Shadows belongs to the literary genre of historical fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly define the term genre and offer examples of it from your own reading experience. Why do you think it is useful to categorize fiction into genres? What could be a disadvantage of doing so?

2. What do you think is the main motivation for a person to read an historical fiction novel? Is entertainment a good enough reason? Are there any other reasons to read this genre? What? Explain fully.

3. In "academe," historical fiction novels are often thought of as less literary than some other genres and for that reason are sometimes "snubbed" in the study of literature. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with this "snobbery"?

Essay Topic 3

In the world of academia, historical fiction is often considered an inferior form of the novel compared to "classic" literature. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think historical fiction might be considered second-rate compared to the classics?

2. Do you think historical fiction has the same elements as the classics? Why or why not?

3. What are the purposes do you think for people reading "the classics"? What are the purposes for people reading historical fiction? Is one purpose better than another? Explain your response.

4. Would you read historical fiction even outside an educational setting? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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