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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 say as to how his father died?

2. What play will be performed in the afternoon?

3. Why does Nat fall?

4. Why does Nat not allow himself to cry?

5. What class does John Heminges teach?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Nat recite for his speaking class and who congratulates him after the recitation?

5. Where do the apprentices go after classes?

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

7. What does Arby point out to Nat in the first reading of one play?

8. What happens with Nat in Chapter 3?

9. What does Nat notice about Eric Sawyer and Gil Warmun as the two other boys are acting?

10. What is the purpose of the games and what does Nat think of some of the games?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many books are often made into a movie based upon the book. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think you would enjoy watching a film based upon "King of Shadows"? Why or why not?

2. Do you think the subject matter would be more difficult or easier to portray in film versus in the book? Explain your reasoning.

3. Would you allow your high school-aged son or daughter (imagining you have one) to view the film? Explain your answer.

4. How do you think the movie would differ from the book? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

King of Shadows ends on a somewhat positive note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are at least three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "King of Shadows" and if it fulfills some or all of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "King of Shadows" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. Would you have wished the ending to be different? Why or why not? Would that have changed what the author wished to convey with the book?

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 1,048 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample