View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Merlin find the sword in his dreams?

2. Who does Merlin go in search of once leaving the settlement where his horse is re-shod?

3. Who accompanies Merlin after he takes Arthur from the castle?

4. On what day does Merlin's horse throw a shoe, forcing Merlin to stop taking the path the Old Ones had shown him?

5. Where does Uther suggest Arthur be taken once born?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the term "Flood Year" refer to? Why is it important to the story?

2. How does Arthur finally meet Merlin? How does Merlin recognize the boy?

3. Moravik has a unique perspective of Merlin. What is it and why does she feel the way she does about him?

4. Why does Merlin plan to take over the Chapel of the Green himself after the old hermit dies?

5. Why does Merlin seek out the holy man in the forest chapel?

6. 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?

7. 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?

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

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

10. Why does Merlin travel in disguise with the infant Arthur? What disguise does he assume?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Merlin has visions and prophecies throughout the story about Arthur and those around him. How do these visions shape the actions of the characters? Give one example of a vision that came true and an example of one that did not. Which are more significant?

Essay Topic 2

What is the truth behind the injury Uther received during a skirmish with the Saxons? Why has it made Uther question his future and Arthur?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,172 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample