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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. Where is the setting at the opening of Chapter 1?

2. Where do some of the boys live when they are in London?

3. What does Nat think of some of the games the boys play?

4. Who is Sam Gilbourne?

5. What does Nat think is similar to the Globe Theater of 1999?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nat respond when Shakespeare calls the group a family and what does Shakespeare do?

2. Where do the apprentices go after classes?

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

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

5. What does Arby forbid the boys to do and how does Nat react to Arby's guidance?

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

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

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

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

10. With whom does Nat live in London and how does he feel about them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think the King of Shadows is? Explain your response.

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

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "King of Shadows", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements of "King of Shadows". (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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