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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. Who is the man who lives in the cave?

2. Who leaves the compound eventually, leaving Merlin with Ambrosius?

3. Where are Hanno and Marric going?

4. Who created the cut on Merlin's face?

5. What do others believe the identity of Merlin's father is?

Short Essay Questions

1. Merlin wanted to go to Sergontium, but his father thought he was too weak. How did Merlin talk his father into letting him go?

2. What does Cerdic do when he sees the cut on Merlin's face?

3. What does Merlin have a vision of when he goes back to talk with Ambrosius?

4. What does Merlin witness when he goes to the island in the bay?

5. What happens to Merlin as they journey by boat?

6. What does Merlin find when he enters the palace in secrecy?

7. What does Merlin say when the men ask him for his name?

8. Whose cape is the one that Merlin took when he was hiding in the farm?

9. What happens with Merlin's pony?

10. How might Merlin's memory be described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The character of Keri seems minor at first, but her complexity seems to tell the reader there is more she has to offer.

Part 1 - Compare the Keri who was a nun, to the Keri that emerged after she left the nunnery.

Part 2 - What do you think Keri symbolizes in this novel?

Part 3 - Why is Keri's mouth compared to a cave in Merlin's descriptions? What does this seem to say about her role in his life?

Essay Topic 2

The Crystal Cave is not only the title, but also a major setting in this story. To Merlin, it is a sort of birthplace for his powers and also a place where he restores himself.

Part 1 - Describe the appearance of the Crystal Cave and how Merlin came to find it in the first place.

Part 2 - Give at least 3 examples of lessons Merlin learned while in the Crystal Cave.

Part 3 - What do you think the Crystal Cave represents in the story? What is the larger metaphor for the cave's presence?

Essay Topic 3

Within this book, the fate of a person being determined by one's parentage seems to be a constant theme. Many of the characters are influenced by their parents throughout their lives.

Part 1 - Describe the fate of Merlin as it relates to his parentage.

Part 2 - Describe the fate of Uther as it relates to his family situation.

Part 3 - Describe one other relationship between parent and child and how it affected both persons in the relationship.

(see the answer keys)

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