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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. According to the book of Gramayre, what is the one element that can defy all magic?

2. What does Hawkin tell Will that the Rider will exchange for his sister?

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

4. Why won't Will deal with Hawkin?

5. What does the book of Gramayre send Will swimming through?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is unique about the book of Gramayre?

3. What are the important plot events that happen after church service ends on Christmas Day?

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

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

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

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

8. What purpose does the Walker's visit to the Stanton home serve to the overall plot of the story?

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

10. Why is Hawkin amazed that the Rider has dropped him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the role of Miss Greythorne in the story? Compare her role to that of the Lady.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Why is the Dark associated with the cold and with rooks?

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