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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 is Merlin taught to be like in order to avoid troubles?

2. Who rides out to the forest with Merlin?

3. Why does Merlin wake up?

4. Who warns Merlin about Dinias?

5. What god is associated with the bull?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Uther notice about Merlin when he grabs him?

2. What does Merlin overhear when he is hiding under the house?

3. What does Merlin tell Ambrosius about Lady Niniane?

4. Merlin wanted to go to Sergontium, but his father thought he was too weak. How did Merlin talk his father into letting him go?

5. What does Merlin find when he enters the palace in secrecy?

6. What does Cerdic do when he sees the cut on Merlin's face?

7. What happens after Merlin escapes?

8. What are some of the physical characteristics of Galapas?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of the ringdove seems to help Merlin throughout his life. Thankfully, he is taught this lesson in how to avoid trouble early on.

Part 1 - Who is the character that teaches Merlin about being like a ringdove? What is the lesson? Why does he teach this to him?

Part 2 - How does Merlin apply this lesson in his life? Give at least two specific examples.

Part 3 - Are there any times when Merlin should not have followed the lesson of the ringdove?

Essay Topic 2

Time seems to be scattered in this novel, with time slowing down and then speeding up at irregular intervals.

Part 1 - What is the importance of time in this novel? Is it important? Why?

Part 2 - What does Merlin's storytelling and the lapses in the time periods seem to say about Merlin?

Part 3 - Can the reader understand the story when it's not told in a linear fashion? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Like so many other novels, the pursuit of power seems to be the downfall of many characters.

Part 1 - Name 3 characters who are pursuing power in this story.

Part 2 - How does each character pursue their own definitions of power?

Part 3 - What is the end result for each of these characters? What does this say about each character?

(see the answer keys)

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