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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. Why is the earlier era Nat kept isolated in the hospital for a week?

2. What play does Shakespeare write after his brief encounter with Nat?

3. What does Nat worry about as far as St. Paul's school is concerned?

4. What do Gil and Rachel realize is a result of the swap of the two Nats?

5. Why is the Nat of the modern era sad?

Short Essay Questions

1. What dos Arby give Nat and what does Nat discover is Arby's full name?

2. What do Nat and his aunt Jen decide to do?

3. What does Nat ask Shakespeare about Nat's choices after St. Paul's and what is Shakespeare's response?

4. Where does Nat awaken in Chapter 17 and what does he find out?

5. What interests the company about Nat and Roper and how does Nick Tooley put Nat into an awkward position?

6. Describe Nat, Burbage and Shakespeare's interview with Queen Elizabeth I.

7. What does Shakespeare tell Nat about soldiers in the theater and what happens with that situation?

8. In Chapter 12, who arrives at Guy's Hospital and what does the person learn?

9. What does Nat think is the reason he and the other Nat were not discovered to be impostors?

10. What does Harry explain to Nat about the political climate of that time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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