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 did Borden plan to do if he did not figure out Angier's illusion by the deadline he gave himself?

2. Who did the head of the traveling magic show in 1972 write Alfred a letter of introduction to?

3. At what age did Borden leave home?

4. When Borden remembers Angier the night of his performance that Borden ruined, what was Angier covered in?

5. What was the only trick of Borden's that Angier did not attack?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narration change in Section 2, and what does it focus on?

2. Who is John Henry Anderson, and what was his relationship with Alfred?

3. What are the three steps to a magic trick, as Borden explains in his journal?

4. Did either Borden or Angier ever try to reconcile their feud? If so, what happened?

5. What is the story of the Chinese magician that Alfred shares?

6. Who does the narrator of Section 6, Part 3 remember coming to their childhood home, and what was significant about the room the narrator's memory took place in?

7. What is odd about the package Andrew receives from his father?

8. Andrew finds out it was not the church who contacted his newspaper about a story. Who actually contacted Andrew's newspaper, and why?

9. What does Angier reveal about his childhood in his journal entries in Section 6, Part 3?

10. What does Alfred write about his secret in Section 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The line between protagonist and antagonist is not as clear cut in The Prestige as it is in other books. Explain who is the protagonist and antagonist in this story, providing ample examples from the book to support your decision.

Essay Topic 2

There are multiple examples of irony in The Prestige, particularly with Borden and Angier's rivalry. Refer to at least three examples of irony in The Prestige, while explaining how the author uses this literary tool throughout the book.

Essay Topic 3

Where is betrayal seen in The Prestige? What characters are involved in betrayal, and what overall affect does it have on the plot?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 965 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample