View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Of what acting group did the earlier Nat Field join?

2. What is one thing that worries Nat?

3. About what does Nat yearn to tell the group?

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

5. Why does a day laborer flash a sign to ward evil at Nat?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What is Nat trying to figure out about himself and what are the other apprentices trying to figure out about Nat while they are celebrating at a tavern.

8. Describe Nat's dream that he has in Chapter 16.

9. Why is Nat worried concerning the political situation and Shakespeare and Burbage?

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

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

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 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)

This section contains 1,158 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample