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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 times in a year does the Hunting of the Wren occur?

2. What song are the people singing after the church service is over?

3. On the way home from caroling, Paul tells Will that he would give anything to have a what?

4. Which of the Stanton family members disappears on the way to the manor?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the Dark have another chance to attack the Light?

2. Why is the rain significant to the villagers and to Will?

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

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

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

6. What does Will learn about the snow and its links to the Dark?

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

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

9. What is the importance of the king's ship for this night?

10. Why is the Dark's strike at the king's burial ship fitting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why is the act of catching someone out of time symbolic of being out of the loop or being frozen, suspended in time? Why is this power useful to Will and the Old Ones?

Essay Topic 2

What is the protagonist's main goal throughout the Dark is Rising, and how does he fulfill his mission? What obstacles does Will face in reaching his goals?

Essay Topic 3

What are the roles of the white mare in the Hunt and in the overall battle of the Light against the Dark?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,055 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample