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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. To whose headquarters is Merlin taken?

2. Who rides out to the forest with Merlin?

3. Who is a priest of the old religion?

4. How long does the trip from Maridunum take?

5. What has Merlin heard?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Merlin see when he enters the cave?

2. What happens after Merlin escapes?

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

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

5. What has Merlin been learning as his has spent his time in Less Britain with Ambrosius?

6. How might Merlin's memory be described?

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

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

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

10. How would Merlin be described when he was a young boy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Crystal Cave is not only the title, but also a major setting in this story. To Merlin, it is a sort of birthplace for his powers and also a place where he restores himself.

Part 1 - Describe the appearance of the Crystal Cave and how Merlin came to find it in the first place.

Part 2 - Give at least 3 examples of lessons Merlin learned while in the Crystal Cave.

Part 3 - What do you think the Crystal Cave represents in the story? What is the larger metaphor for the cave's presence?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout history, Merlin has been regarded as a magical figure. But during this novel, it seems he is far more complicated than his mythology seems to indicate.

Part 1 - Give three examples of ways in which Merlin is a mystical character. How do you define mystical?

Part 2 - Is Merlin magical? Why or why not?

Part 3 - Does Merlin's reputation come in handy? When? Does Merlin use it to his advantage? When? Is this the right thing for him to do?

Essay Topic 3

Merlin is a powerful person, but seems to fall apart when he is with the opposite sex. This dichotomy only helps to strengthen the mystique of Merlin in the novel.

Part 1 - Describe the troubles Merlin has with women. Who has he fallen for and what was the result?

Part 2 - Why do you think Merlin has troubles with the opposite sex?

Part 3 - Why do you think the author decided to give Merlin a sort of weakness with women? What does this reveal about Merlin's personality?

(see the answer keys)

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