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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 does Angier initially think Borden is the first time he sees him?

2. How does Borden feel about Angier's death?

3. How does Borden think Angier accomplishes his illusion that is similar to Borden's?

4. What is the 'prestige' of a magic trick, according to Borden's journal?

5. How does Borden get backstage as one of Angier's shows in Section 5, Part 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Borden and Angier's feud begin?

2. Describe Angier's most famous trick.

3. What does Angier reveal about his childhood in his journal entries in Section 6, Part 3?

4. Describe Angier's first attempts at performing illusions on stage.

5. After Angier dies, what does Borden write that he remembers about Angier's appearance the night of his performance in America?

6. What is the story Borden tells in Section 4, Part 2 about how Olive Wescombe was hired, and how is it different than the story given earlier?

7. Andrew finds out it was not the church who contacted his newspaper about a story. Who actually contacted Andrew's newspaper, and why?

8. What object did the narrator of Section 6, Part 3 see that was new and frightening, and what happened in that object?

9. What does Kate believe about the young boy who her father killed?

10. What attempts does Borden make to reconcile with Angier in Section 5, Part 2, and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The literary technique of 'conflict' is seen all throughout The Prestige. Describe three different types of conflict in The Prestige and how they affect the plot.

Essay Topic 2

What is the role of death in The Prestige? Compare how at least two different characters deal with death.

Essay Topic 3

The line between protagonist and antagonist is not as clear cut in The Prestige as it is in other books. Explain who is the protagonist and antagonist in this story, providing ample examples from the book to support your decision.

(see the answer keys)

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