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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 does Gilbourne urge the apprentices to do?

2. Of what does the Company of Boys comprise?

3. Why does Arby make the boys play the games?

4. How does Arby say the boy actors must function?

5. What school does Harry say Nat attends?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nat learn about an upcoming visit from the Queen and what does he have to do regarding the news?

2. How does Nat make things good between himself and Roper?

3. How does Nat react to the bear pit?

4. Why does Shakespeare step in between Nat and Roper and what is the consequence of his doing so?

5. Who arrives at Shakespeare's home and forces his way upstairs to talk about what?

6. What does Nat learn about the Globe Theater of 1599?

7. How were the boys chosen for the Company of Boys?

8. What happens to Nat at the beginning of the first day of rehearsals on the stage at Globe?

9. Why does Arby kick one of the boys out of the company?

10. How is Nat different from the other apprentices and to what do the apprentices attribute the differences?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Setting as far as place and time play critical role in "King of Shadows". Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast several aspects of the 2 times where the action takes place--1999 and 1599. Consider things such as cultural norms/expectations, technology, religion and medicine.

2. How do you think "King of Shadows" would change if Nat actually stayed 1599? (You need to research England at the time and see if there are any major differences). Consider if the plague were not an issue. What if he accidentally ended up in a radically different area such as the Orient or Africa?

3. What issues that are present in the 1599 time of "King of Shadows" are still present today? What are no longer issues today? Consider such things cultural norms/expectations, technology, religion and medicine.

4. How would the plot be impacted if the setting were in the United States at the same time period (1599)? Explain the differences.

5. How important do you think it is to understand the setting of a particular book? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "King of Shadows" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Susan Cooper uses real historical events and facts around which to weave her work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think "King of Shadows" qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. What surprises you about the culture of late 1599 England?

4. What would you like the most about the time of 1599 England?

5. What would you like the least about the time of 1599 England?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,166 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample