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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 goes to fetch Esca the slave and bring him to Uncle Aquila's home in Chapter 6?

2. What Centurion does the narrator say is overfond of using his vine-staff on his men's backs in Chapter 2?

3. What shocks Placidus about Marcus in Chapter 9?

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

5. Who does Centurion Quintus Hilarion warn Marcus about in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What information does Marcus learn of the conclusion of the battle in Chapter 4?

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

3. Why does Marcus worry he may be making a laughing stock out of himself in Chapter 3?

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

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

6. What bet with Cradoc does Marcus propose in Chapter 2?

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

8. What does Cottia tell Marcus when she appears in the garden in Chapter 8?

9. When and where is The Eagle of the Ninth set?

10. What does Marcus consider doing in his future in Chapter 9?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the Satunalia Games and entertainment of the Roman Empire. What entertainments were presented during the Games? What are Marcus's thoughts on the Games when he attends with his uncle?

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

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