The Sword in the Stone

In Scene 2, Lady Igraine “paces in front of a window.” This detail tells you that Lady Igraine is

• tired

• worried

• angry

• calm

In Scene 2, Igraine asks Merlin, “Is our secret safe?” What secret is she talking about?

• that Merlin has magical powers

• that she is going to escape to France

• that Merlin is going to use magic to create a test to identify the next King of Britain

• that Arthur is King Uther’s son and heir to the throne

In Scene 3, Ector says, “Do not yearn for battle, Arthur. Yearn for peace.” Based on context clues, to yearn for something means to

• desire it.

• think about it.

• worry about it.

• forget about it.

Scene 6 is important to the play because it reveals

• that Kay has just become a knight.

• that Kay bosses Arthur around.

• that Arthur is supposed to be king.

• that Kay is good at jousting.

Which details reveal that Kay is shocked to learn that Arthur is meant to be king? Choose TWO.

• In Scene 7, Kay’s face turns pale when Arthur tells him he pulled the sword from the stone.

• In Scene 8, when Arthur pulls the sword from the stone for the second time, Kay and the rest of the crowd drop to their knees.

• In Scene 8, Kay asks Arthur for forgiveness.

• In Scene 8, Kay says, “But surely he must have taken it after someone else freed it. I mean, look at him. He’s just a kid—a nothing!”

Which detail would be LEAST important to include in a summary of the play?

• Arthur can play the lute.

• Growing up, Arthur did not know that he was the son of King Uther Pendragon.

• The nobles of Britain quarrel over who should rule.

• Arthur pulls the sword from the stone.

As what kind of person does the author portray Arthur in the play? Use text evidence to support your ideas.

In Scene 2, Merlin says that “dark years lie ahead” for Britain. Based on information in the play, does his statement turn out to be true? Use text evidence to support your ideas.