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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 song does the stranger with the deer sing when he approaches Marcus and Esca in Chapter 12?

2. How many warriors from the tribe chase down Marcus and Esca after they have left in Chapter 16?

3. What color is the harebell that Marcus observes in Chapter 18?

4. What is Guern doing as he whistles in Chapter 17?

5. Who is the Chieftain of the hunting party that Marcus encounters in Chapter 14?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to the Legate of the Ninth Legion, according to Guern?

2. How does Tradui describe the eradication of the Ninth Legion in Chapter 15?

3. Where is Valentia? How large was this province of Roman Britain?

4. Who is Boudicca and why does Guern mention her in Chapter 13?

5. How is the character of Dergdian described?

6. What ruse does Esca suggest in Chapter 16? How does Marcus respond?

7. What exchanges does Esca make in Cluta in Chapter 17? Why?

8. What is the significance of the bronze ring-brooch in the novel?

9. How does Guern greet Marcus and Esca in Chapter 18?

10. How do Marcus and Esca evade their pursuers in Chapter 17?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of coming of age in The Eagle of the Ninth. In what ways do the central characters "grow up" or transform in the novel? What do they lose in doing so? What do they gain?

Essay Topic 2

How do Marcus and Esca manage to enter into the lands of the North and to pass through them? What disguise does Marcus don? What additional preparations are made?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss Guern the Hunter in The Eagle of the Ninth. Where do Marcus and Esca meet Guern? What is Guern doing when they meet him? What indications show that Guern has a history with the Roman military?

(see the answer keys)

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