View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Shakespeare read to Nat?

2. What does Nat reach for under his pillow?

3. What does Rachel notice as she hugs Nat?

4. What does Nat sleep with under his pillow?

5. What character will Nat play next summer with the Company of Boys?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Nat trying to figure out about himself and what are the other apprentices trying to figure out about Nat while they are celebrating at a tavern.

2. What does Nat think is the reason he and the other Nat were not discovered to be impostors?

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

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

5. What do Nat and his aunt Jen decide to do?

6. What interests the company about Nat and Roper and how does Nick Tooley put Nat into an awkward position?

7. How do Gil and Rachel respond to Nat's story about his time in 1599?

8. Why does Nat challenge Arby's authority?

9. What does Shakespeare tell Nat about soldiers in the theater and what happens with that situation?

10. In Chapter 12, who arrives at Guy's Hospital and what does the person learn?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss the character of Nat. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Do you think he is a protagonist or antagonist? Why

2. Thoroughly discuss the character Shakespeare. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an enemy? Is he portrayed in King of Shadows like you might imagine he was in real life? Why or why not.

3. Thoroughly discuss two other characters of your choosing. What are their strengths? Weaknesses? How do they evolve over the course of the story? (or do they?) Are they likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Are they trustworthy? Wise? Would you want them as friends? Are they likely to be enemies?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "King of Shadows" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "King of Shadows" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the fact that "King of Shadows" is a teen novel changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "King of Shadows" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,063 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample