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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. Where was Marcus sent upon arriving in Britain in late autumn, according to the narrator in Chapter 1?

2. What kind of spirit does Galarius bring for Marcus to drink after his surgery in Chapter 8?

3. What does the Latin word "testudo" refer to?

4. What did the Romans apply to their enemies' land so that crops would be destroyed?

5. What does Uncle Aquila say he used to hunt with Rufrius Galarius in Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. What two stories inspired the author to write The Eagle of the Ninth, according to her Prologue?

2. Where has Marcus been assigned in Chapter 2? How many men does he command?

3. How does Marcus feel about the end of his career with the Eagles?

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

5. From what narrative point of view is the novel related?

6. What happens when the chariots attack in Chapter 3?

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

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

9. How is Uncle Aquila described?

10. Who is brought in to examine Marcus's leg in Chapter 8? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss and analyze the character of Marcus Flavius Aquila in The Eagle of the Ninth. How old is Marcus when the novel begins? How old is he when the story ends? How would you describe Marcus's character arc in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the structure of the Roman military and its role in the spread of the Roman Empire. What is Marcus's station in the military? Where is the post that he is assigned? What are his duties at that post?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the events that lead up to Marcus's injuries at his post in Roman Britain. Who attacks the battalion? How is the attack orchestrated? How many of Marcus's men are injured or killed in the attack?

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