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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 word from the novel refers to an open-roofed central court in an ancient Roman home?

2. What does the word "Tophet" (40) refer to in Chapter 3?

3. Where does Uncle Aquila say the only woman he ever cared for is buried in Chapter 5?

4. What word in Chapter 6 refers to an ancient Roman coin that equals one quarter of a denarius?

5. What word refers to an ancient Roman silver coin, originally worth ten asses?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Uncle Aquila described?

2. How are the slaves described in Uncle Aquila's home?

3. What rumor regarding the Eagle does the Legate describe in Chapter 10?

4. How does Cottia feel about Roman culture and about her aunt?

5. How did Tribune Placidus insult Esca at the hunt in Chapter 6?

6. What does Placidus suggest as a reason for the disappearance of the Ninth Legion?

7. Why does Marcus grant Esca his freedom in Chapter 10?

8. Where is Marcus being tended to in Chapter 4? By whom is he being care for?

9. How is Cottia described when her character is first introduced?

10. What does the rose in the wine jar symbolize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In The Eagle of the Ninth, Marcus struggles with both his sense of identity and his sense of belonging. Discuss ways that the author expands upon this theme in the novel. Who else seeks belonging and security in their identity? What symbolism and imagery relate to these themes?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the strategy that Marcus and Esca use in securing and escaping with the Eagle from the North. From whom do they take the Eagle? How do they manage to deflect suspicion? What ultimately leads to their being hunted down?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the plot structure of The Eagle of the Ninth. Where does the exposition transition into the rising action of the story? Where does the climax take place? What are the tone and mood of the falling action and denouement?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 671 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample