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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 the man who has been listening to Dinias and Merlin?

2. Who will be born because of the night's activities, according to Merlin?

3. What does Merlin show Uther?

4. What does Merlin do to save himself?

5. Who rides out to Giants Dance to see Merlin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Ambrosius?

2. What does Merlin realize as he is sitting watching the battle at Maesbeli?

3. What does Blackbeard do to Dinias after he tells Merlin to come with him to see the King?

4. What do people do for Merlin, as he is now considered to be a hero and great man?

5. What does Lady Niniane say about the parentage of Merlin?

6. Who does Merlin disguise himself as?

7. Why does Uther have no problem going up into the Lady Ygraine's room?

8. When Merlin is told the men think of him as a prophet, what does Merlin think?

9. How is Lady Niniane described in this section?

10. What happens in the battle between Merlin and Brithael?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Within this book, the fate of a person being determined by one's parentage seems to be a constant theme. Many of the characters are influenced by their parents throughout their lives.

Part 1 - Describe the fate of Merlin as it relates to his parentage.

Part 2 - Describe the fate of Uther as it relates to his family situation.

Part 3 - Describe one other relationship between parent and child and how it affected both persons in the relationship.

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)

This section contains 654 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample