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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 Will find standing next to the great beech tree?

2. What is the term for the rapid urgent collecting, which summons the hounds?

3. What is the term used to rally the hounds on the full chase?

4. During the Hunt, who is wearing the great horned mask that Will received as a gift?

5. In what part of the world is Stephen stationed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the importance of the Walker's whereabouts being revealed to Will by a rook--an animal of the Dark?

2. Who is Mr. Mitothin, and who is he really?

3. In what ways does the Dark's power react in the Hawk in the Dark section?

4. How does Will demonstrate changes and reveals his new powers to others?

5. What is unique about the book of Gramayre?

6. What significant acts occur during the late night of Christmas Day?

7. What is the significance of the ancient legend of Herne the Hunter?

8. What is strange about the gift Stephen sent to Will for Christmas?

9. What does Will do when he and Merriman return to their own time at the manor and Paul plays the flute?

10. What does Will's time with the book of Gramayre feel like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Herne Hunt and the Wren are ancient legends that are incorporated into the Dark is Rising text. How are these two tales important to the overall plot?

Essay Topic 2

How is the symbolism of the Light and the Dark portrayed throughout the novel, The Dark is Rising?

Essay Topic 3

How does The Dark is Rising fulfill the genre requirements of a fantasy novel?

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