The Night Circus

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

Multiple Choice

1. When Celia demonstrates her magical abilities to join the Night Circus, Chandresh attempts to dismiss her. What prevents him from doing so?

A) Chandresh learns that Celia is Prospero’s daughter.

B) Celia reassembles a broken teacup for him.

C) Marco interferes with Chandresh’s thoughts.

D) Poppet says she has seen Celia in a vision.

2. What important item does Poppet give to Bailey when they first meet?

A) An old tarot card

B) A red rose

C) A gold ring

D) A white glove

3. Which of the following is the strongest example of the theme of Good Versus Evil in the novel?

A) The rivalry between Celia and Marco

B) The actions of the Man in Grey toward Marco

C) The murder of Mr. Thiessen

D) Tsukiko’s defeat of her opponent

4. Which of the following is the strongest example of the theme of Free Will?

A) Bailey’s sacrifice for the circus

B) Isobel’s ability to read the tarot

C) Tsukiko’s employment at the Night Circus

D) The circus performers’ inability to age

5. Which of the following best states what the Wunschtraum Clock symbolizes in the novel?

A) The futility of time

B) The unreliability of time

C) The static nature of time

D) The importance of time

6. Why does Celia steal Marco’s notebook?

A) To gain an advantage over him in the competition

B) To learn his system for the circus to stabilize it

C) To uncover his relationship with Isobel

D) To teach herself his style of magic

7. What does Bailey believe his two options are in life?

A) Working on a farm or working in a store

B) Going to college or joining the circus

C) Working on a farm or going to college

D) Working on a ship or joining the circus

8. When were Widget and Poppet born?

A) October 13-14, the night the circus opened

B) October 31-November 1, Halloween night

C) June 24-25, the summer solstice

D) December 21-22, the winter solstice

9. What is the primary conflict between the Man in Grey and Prospero the Entertainer?

A) Prospero lured one of the Man in Grey’s apprentices away from old magic.

B) The Man in Grey stole Celia from Prospero as a baby to train her himself.

C) They have conflicting views of magical styles and theories.

D) The Man in Grey rejected Prospero’s teachings.

10. Who was the Man in Grey’s last apprentice before Marco?

A) Celia

B) Lanie

C) Chandresh

D) Tsukiko

11. Celia’s father failed a magic trick that involved dispersing his atoms. What technique is used when Celia mentions she wishes she could master the same trick and escape the boundaries of the physical world?

A) Hyperbole

B) Foreshadowing

C) Understatement

D) Repetition

12. Why does Marco feel responsible for Herr Thiessen’s death?

A) He was momentarily distracted and failed to redirect the dagger.

B) He allowed his jealousy of Celia’s relationship with Thiessen to cloud his judgment.

C) He failed to include Herr Thiessen’s signature in his book of those protected by magic.

D) He told Isobel he did not love her which broke the protective spell.

13. How do Bailey and Poppet escape the cage in the cloud maze?

A) Widget finds them and opens the cage.

B) Marco sends the key on a cloud.

C) Poppet picks the lock.

D) Bailey finds a hidden key.

14. How does Marco stay connected to the circus when he is physically absent?

A) Through the clock

B) Through the bonfire

C) Through the Ice Garden

D) Through Isobel

15. What is the initial purpose of the Ice Garden?

A) It is a sanctuary for Celia to retreat to when she is upset.

B) It is a monument to Marco’s superior skill.

C) It is a playground for Celia and Marco to show off their magical abilities.

D) It is a symbol of the impossibility of their relationship.

Long Answer

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

1. What is Herr Thiessen’s role at the Night Circus?

2. What happens on the night of Halloween in 1901? Why is it significant?