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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 is Merlin's proper name?

2. What color horse does Merlin see a nine-year-old boy riding toward the chapel?

3. Who delivers Arthur?

4. What is the name of the hillsmen's leader?

5. What is the name of one of the men sent to spy on Merlin?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Merlin come to know the Old Ones in the forest?

2. What parts of Arthur's upbringing do Merlin and Uther agree on? What parts do they not agree on? What is Merlin's solution to the problem?

3. Why does Merlin hide himself away in his cave for three months after returning to Bryn Myrddin?

4. What is the significance of the star that shines the night that Arthur is born and the night he leaves the castle?

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

6. Why does the hermit at the Chapel of the Green feel comfortable telling Merlin about the story of Macsen's sword?

7. Merlin admits to the reader for the first time since the story began that he is apprehensive about meeting with the queen. Why?

8. 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?

9. How does Merlin realize that the king's soldiers are closer than he thought? What does he plan to tell the soldiers when he and Ralf are found?

10. What story does Merlin tell the young goat herd who is caring for him after he injures his hand? Why does he tell him the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

There is a significant challenge in deciding what should be done with Arthur after he is born. What does Ygraine want done with her son? What does Uther want done with his son? What is done with Arthur?

Essay Topic 3

There are several ways in which Lot of Lothian attempts to undermine or destroy the king. Describe those situations in detail including the outcome of Lot's actions.

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This section contains 1,100 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample