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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. How many books mention the earlier Nat Field?

2. With what does Burbage paint Nat's body?

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

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

5. When do they think Nat will be released from the hospital?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do Gil and Rachel believe Nat Field of 1999 saved Shakespeare's life?

3. What unexpected thing happens as Nat is acting and what is the outcome?

4. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

10. How does Nat feel before the performance and how does Shakespeare help Nat with those feelings?

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

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "King of Shadows". Questions that Cooper might want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Cooper's agenda (for example Nat's father's suicide). Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Cooper's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Cooper and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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