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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 Nat notice about Harry's speech?

2. Who denies any wrongdoing?

3. Who is Harry?

4. Who is Rachel?

5. What do the nurses fail to notice about Nat?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What amazes Nat about London when he is on his way to the Globe?

3. How does Roper conspire to make Nat look bad?

4. What is happening to the Nat that is transported to 1999?

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

6. How does Nat react to the bear pit?

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

8. How does Nat increase his acting skills, in particular playing the character of Puck?

9. What does Roper suggest the boys do and what does Nat feel he must go?

10. What happens with Nat in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

King of Shadows belongs to the literary genre of historical fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly define the term genre and offer examples of it from your own reading experience. Why do you think it is useful to categorize fiction into genres? What could be a disadvantage of doing so?

2. What do you think is the main motivation for a person to read an historical fiction novel? Is entertainment a good enough reason? Are there any other reasons to read this genre? What? Explain fully.

3. In "academe," historical fiction novels are often thought of as less literary than some other genres and for that reason are sometimes "snubbed" in the study of literature. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with this "snobbery"?

Essay Topic 2

Nat of 1999 is a about sixteen when the novel opens. Discuss the following:

1. What are some ways that Nat seems like an average sixteen year old? Give examples and why you say the activities are average teen activities.

2. What are some ways that Nat seems older than sixteen? Give specific examples and discuss whether they seem consistent with the character of Nat as he is developed throughout the book.

3. Is it realistic to think Nat could handle the situations that arise in the novel in the ways he does? How much impact do you think Nat's father's suicide had on his growing up faster?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "King of Shadows" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "King of Shadows" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the fact that "King of Shadows" is a teen novel changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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