The Dark Is Rising

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. In Chapter 1, what do the rooks do that seems particularly strange and frightening to Will?

A) One of them drops a chestnut at Will’s feet.

B) They attack the tramp.

C) They attack Will.

D) They roost in the treetops.

2. Why does Will’s father suggest they should have a special ceremony for Will’s birthday?

A) Because it has begun to snow

B) Because his sister Mary had one, so Will should have one too

C) Because the animals are afraid of him

D) Because turning 11 is a significant occasion

3. What is it that wakes Will on his birthday morning?

A) His skylight is broken and his room is cold.

B) He hears the sound of a Smith’s hammer.

C) He hears a strain of beautiful music.

D) His brother Robin is snoring.

4. Why does Will put out the fire in the hall rather than the candle as Merriman told him?

A) He is trying to prove that he is not an Old One.

B) He wants to impress the Lady.

C) He thinks the room is too hot.

D) He wants to prove he is stronger than Merriman.

5. Why is Tramps Alley called Oldway Road?

A) It dates back to Roman times.

B) It is one of the roads used by the Old Ones.

C) It was named after someone called Mr. Oldway.

D) Merriman tells Will the explanation is a secret.

6. Why did Farmer Dawson carve a Sign for Will instead of an initial?

A) Because he was tired of carving initials

B) Because he wanted the Rider to recognize and take it

C) Because he didn’t know Will’s name

D) Because the Dark can’t use the Signs of the Light to do magic

7. What is the significance of Will being the seventh son of a seventh son?

A) It implies his siblings will be important to the novel’s plot.

B) It implies Will is very similar to his father.

C) In folklore, the seventh son of a seventh son is supposed to be evil.

D) In folklore, the seventh son of a seventh son is supposed to have special powers.

8. What does Hawkin realize when Merriman uses him as a key to open the clock?

A) That Will is the last of the Old Ones

B) That Merriman is willing to let the other Old Ones kill him (Hawkin)

C) That the book is much more important than he thought

D) That Merriman is going to make him read the Book of Gramarye

9. Why can’t the rector exorcise the Dark from his church?

A) Because he is in league with the Dark

B) Because he doesn’t have the power of the Old Ones

C) Because the Signs are not a Christian cross

D) Because the Old Ones have made him forget how

10. Why does Will want to get the Walker to the manor?

A) The Walker is sick.

B) He knows the Walker is allied with the Dark.

C) The Walker needs to make peace with Merriman.

D) The Walker is actually Hawkin.

11. Why does Will leave the carnival head in the stream?

A) He never really liked it.

B) It is less important than finding his sister.

C) It is too heavy to carry.

D) Moving water will protect it from the Dark.

12. Why does Will refuse to hand over the Signs in exchange for Mary?

A) He knows Mary is an illusion.

B) He knows Merriman will save her.

C) The world depends on his keeping the Signs.

D) Mary is his least favorite sister.

13. Why does the Dark strike the Viking boat with lightning?

A) The Dark is being spiteful.

B) The Dark wants to stop Will from getting the last Sign.

C) The Dark is giving the king a Viking funeral.

D) The Dark wants to make Will angry.

14. What does Will realize is the reason the Light will always fight the Dark?

A) Because no one else can do it

B) Because it’s the right thing to do

C) Because the Light is cruel

D) Because it’s the nature of things

15. By the end of the story, how does Will feel about becoming an Old One?

A) He thinks it is difficult but feels more prepared.

B) He wishes he could stay a child forever.

C) He thinks it’s unfair that he will outlive his family.

D) He blames Merriman for getting him into it.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Why is it a bad idea for Will to start a fire in the lane?

2. Why does Will decide to make the rector and his brother forget what happened in the church when the Dark attacked it?

3. Why can’t the Light do anything to stop Hawkin from letting the Dark into Huntercombe Manor, and why does sedating him make a difference?