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

2. According to James, where does the Stanton family Christmas tree come from?

3. By opening the door between the Dark and the Walker, what does Will allow the Walker to gain?

4. According to Merriman, the peak of the Dark occurs during what time of year?

5. The day after Christmas, James tells Will that the snow has broken what in the kitchen?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the importance of Will taking the white horse to the Hunter?

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

4. What is unique about the book of Gramayre?

5. For Will, what does the music that Paul plays on the flute mean?

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

7. How does Will convince Paul that nothing strange is going on?

8. Why does Hawkin betray Merriman and the Light?

9. Why does Will feel torn during the Joining of the Signs section?

10. How does Hawkin trick Will to allow the Dark into the manor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Which characters stand in direct opposition to Will's goals, and how does he navigate the pitfalls and tricks set up to make him fail?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of the use of musical references throughout the book?

Essay Topic 3

Merriman is an Old One like Will, but is far wiser due to his tenure as an Old One. In what ways does Merriman fulfill his archetype of the teacher in The Dark is Rising?

(see the answer keys)

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