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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. About what does Nat tell Gil from his time with Shakespeare?

2. What does the audience yell at Nat as he is playing Puck?

3. What does Shakespeare say Nat must do about St. Paul's?

4. What is one thing that worries Nat?

5. What does Nat worry about as far as St. Paul's school is concerned?

Short Essay Questions

1. What secret does Arby reveal to Nat?

2. Describe Nat's dream that he has in Chapter 16.

3. Why does Nat argue with Arby about Nat's exit and what does Nat do?

4. Describe Nat, Burbage and Shakespeare's interview with Queen Elizabeth I.

5. Why does Nat challenge Arby's authority?

6. What does Nat ask Shakespeare about Nat's choices after St. Paul's and what is Shakespeare's response?

7. How does Nat feel before the performance and how does Shakespeare help Nat with those feelings?

8. What do Nat, Gil and Rachel learn about the Nat Field of 1599?

9. What unexpected thing happens as Nat is acting and what is the outcome?

10. What is the audience's response to Sam's entrance onstage?

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

Nat of 1999 is a about sixteen when the novel opens. Discuss the following:

1. What are some ways that Nat seems like an average sixteen year old? Give examples and why you say the activities are average teen activities.

2. What are some ways that Nat seems older than sixteen? Give specific examples and discuss whether they seem consistent with the character of Nat as he is developed throughout the book.

3. Is it realistic to think Nat could handle the situations that arise in the novel in the ways he does? How much impact do you think Nat's father's suicide had on his growing up faster?

Essay Topic 3

King of Shadows ends on a somewhat positive note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are at least three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "King of Shadows" and if it fulfills some or all of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "King of Shadows" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. Would you have wished the ending to be different? Why or why not? Would that have changed what the author wished to convey with the book?

(see the answer keys)

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