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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 is one thing that worries Nat?

2. What color is Gilbourne's wig?

3. What character will Nat play next summer with the Company of Boys?

4. Why does Arby say Shakespeare was sad?

5. What does Nat realize must have happened to him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Richard help Nat prepare for Nat's role as Puck and how does Nat feel when he is ready?

2. How does Nat please Sam Gilbourne?

3. What is Nat trying to figure out about his experience over the past week and what does he decide about them?

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

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

6. What intrigues Nurse Stevens about the Nat she is caring for in the isolation unit?

7. Why does Nat argue with Arby about Nat's exit and what does Nat do?

8. How do Gil and Rachel respond to Nat's story about his time in 1599?

9. What does Nat ask Shakespeare about returning to St. Paul's and what is Shakespeare's response?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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