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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. Who is a mathematician and an astronomer?

2. Who returns to the palace after his brother's mysterious death?

3. Who do Merlin and Cadal find as they lead the horses through the woods?

4. Who died suddenly and put the current High King in charge?

5. What has Merlin witnessed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Merlin buy when he arrives across the sea?

2. Whose cape is the one that Merlin took when he was hiding in the farm?

3. How might Merlin's memory be described?

4. When does the King storm out of the court?

5. What causes the other men in the pub to turn and to stare at Dinias and Merlin?

6. What happens after Merlin escapes?

7. Why was the man killed, according to Belasius?

8. Describe a typical day in Sergontium when Merlin and the rest go there.

9. What was the significance of the scene Merlin saw with the bull?

10. What does Merlin say when the men ask him for his name?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The falcon/merlin are symbols of Merlin's personality. By finding the bird, Merlin seems to find himself as well.

Part 1 - Describe the way in which Merlin came upon this bird in the first place. What happened to bring the bird to Merlin?

Part 2 - In what ways is Merlin like this falcon? Describe the behavioral traits of Merlin that relate to the bird.

Part 3 - Compare and contrast the ringdove and the falcon. How does this relate to Merlin?

Essay Topic 2

The character of Keri seems minor at first, but her complexity seems to tell the reader there is more she has to offer.

Part 1 - Compare the Keri who was a nun, to the Keri that emerged after she left the nunnery.

Part 2 - What do you think Keri symbolizes in this novel?

Part 3 - Why is Keri's mouth compared to a cave in Merlin's descriptions? What does this seem to say about her role in his life?

Essay Topic 3

At many times, Merlin seems to work "magic" on others through his words and not through physical or magical trickery.

Part 1 -Describe the way in which Merlin battles with Marric and Hanno on the boat.

Part 2 - How does Merlin use words to save himself?

Part 3 - In what others ways does Merlin use his wits to save his life? Describe specific examples from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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