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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 was Nat's father's occupation?

2. What play is Shakespeare thinking of writing?

3. For how long will the Company of Boys rehearse in their current location?

4. Of what does Nat dream?

5. What does Nat fight as the days go by?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Nat move in Chapter 10 and who shows him around?

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

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

4. How do Arby and Gill have a small confrontation and what is the result?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the world of academia, historical fiction is often considered an inferior form of the novel compared to "classic" literature. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think historical fiction might be considered second-rate compared to the classics?

2. Do you think historical fiction has the same elements as the classics? Why or why not?

3. What are the purposes do you think for people reading "the classics"? What are the purposes for people reading historical fiction? Is one purpose better than another? Explain your response.

4. Would you read historical fiction even outside an educational setting? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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