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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 does Ambrosius ask Merlin about?

2. Where are Hanno and Marric going?

3. What is Merlin taught to be like in order to avoid troubles?

4. What has Merlin heard?

5. In Merlin's vision with Ambrosius, who is wearing the dragon brooch?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Merlin tell Ambrosius about Lady Niniane?

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

3. What does Uther notice about Merlin when he grabs him?

4. Why does Ulfin go to Belasius to tell him that Merlin needs a new pony?

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

6. What does Galapas do when Merlin asks him to show him how to see visions?

7. What does Merlin see in his vision when he goes back to the crystal cave and Galapas?

8. What are some of the physical characteristics of Galapas?

9. How would Merlin be described when he was a young boy?

10. How might Merlin's memory be described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Foreshadowing plays a major role in this novel, giving the characters a sense of what might happen as well as helping the reader to see how the story may or may not unfold.

Part 1 - Give at least three examples of foreshadowing in the novel.

Part 2 - Describe each example of foreshadowing, the setting, and whether it came true the way it was perceived.

Part 3 - Why do you think foreshadowing is used in this story? What does it contribute to the story? To the characters? To the outcomes?

Essay Topic 3

Like so many other novels, the pursuit of power seems to be the downfall of many characters.

Part 1 - Name 3 characters who are pursuing power in this story.

Part 2 - How does each character pursue their own definitions of power?

Part 3 - What is the end result for each of these characters? What does this say about each character?

(see the answer keys)

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