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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. During the performance in "Gentlemen's Wager," what do the ladies' fans turn into during the performance?

2. How long after the crowd disperses in "The Magician's Umbrella," does it begin to rain?

3. What is seen in a mirror in "Reflections and Distortions"?

4. By what date are stagehands unnecessary to unpack and set up the circus?

5. In "Atmosphere," who is Celia reminded of when watching Tara?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the announcement in the paper say about Hector Bowen's death and funeral services?

2. What do Marco and Celia collaborate upon in "Collaborations"?

3. What is the clock like that Herr Thiessen creates?

4. What does Mr. A.H. tell Tara when he speaks to her in "Temporary Places"?

5. What is Tara's funeral like?

6. How does the boy the grey man chooses grow up?

7. How is Le Cirque des Reves set up?

8. What does Celia do when Prospero said her name should have been Miranda?

9. How does Herr Thiessen learn where the circus will be in "Reveurs"?

10. What is the tattoo like that Tsukiko has?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The clockmaker who is instructed to create the circus clock is told to create a dream. In what ways is the clock both a real timepiece and a dream and how does the clock represent what the circus will become?

Essay Topic 2

Celia learned the identity of her opponent in "The Magician's Opponent." How did she learn her opponent's identity and how did that knowledge affect Celia and the way she was competing?

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the novel, Poppet and Widget ask Chandresh and Mr. A. H. to relinquish any ownership they have in the circus. In what way do the two man own a portion of the circus, and why was it important for them to relinquish their ownership?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,016 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample