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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 color horse does Merlin see a nine-year-old boy riding toward the chapel?

2. What profession does Merlin assume when they are waiting at the inn to go to the castle?

3. Who does Merlin take with him on his journey home?

4. Who delivers Arthur?

5. What disguise does Merlin take on while traveling with Arthur for the first time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Merlin meets Morgause, Uther's illegitimate daughter, after developing a medicine for the ailing Uther. What are Merlin's impressions of Morgause? Does the author give any indication that there is more to Morgause than is being revealed?

2. How does Merlin realize that the king's soldiers are closer than he thought? What does he plan to tell the soldiers when he and Ralf are found?

3. What does Uther reveal to Merlin about his injury? How does this effect his concern for Arthur?

4. What are some of the extraordinary qualities attributed to Merlin? How many, if any, of them are true? What is the truth about Merlin?

5. What dream does Merlin have while traveling to the glass blower's hut in the forest? What is its significance?

6. What is the significance of the star that shines the night that Arthur is born and the night he leaves the castle?

7. The spring after Arthur's twelfth birthday brings the rumblings of war to England. What happens?

8. Four men come to visit Merlin at Bryn Myrddin, claiming they are sent by King Uther. Merlin knows that this is not true. How does he know?

9. What saves Merlin and company while they are traveling through the Perilous Forest? How? Does the author lead the reader to believe that this is an ordinary occurrence?

10. What question does Bedwyr raise while at the chapel with Arthur and Merlin that others have not asked? How does Arthur respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Putting aside the more magical aspects of Arthur's trip to the throne, there are a lot of politics at work within this story. Create a summary of those politics. Name the players and what they stand to gain or lose.

Essay Topic 2

Through the beginning of the story, Cador is considered a possible threat to Uther's kingdom. However, there are events that demonstrate otherwise. What are the events that indicate Cador's true loyalties?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Merlin's interest in seeing Arthur through to the throne. Is it personal? Does he stay objective?

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