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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 is Ralph's last name?

2. Which of the following does Catherine NOT recall as she waits for Ralph to get better?

3. Why is Ralph surprised by Catherine's appearance?

4. What did Ralph tell Antonio about his mother?

5. What does Catherine do on New Year's Day?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the carriage accident in which Ralph is hurt.

2. Who are the two main characters in A RELIABLE WIFE?

3. What does Truitt tell Catherine about his life with Emilia and the house he built for her?

4. In what way does Ralph and Catherine's relationship begin with a lie?

5. What do the secret garden and the Italian house symbolize?

6. How does Catherine spend her time in St. Louis?

7. How does Catherine maintain a low profile in St. Louis even though she is excited by being in the city?

8. What is Ralph Truitt doing as the novel begins?

9. What does the author reveal about Catherine's true intentions regarding Truitt?

10. What are some of Truitt's thoughts during his delirium, especially related to his domineering mother and his own youthful thoughts of lust?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why did Truitt decide to keep Catherine in spite of the fact that she misrepresented herself? Why did Truitt allow his relationship with Catherine to begin with a lie? What do Truitt's decisions say about his character?

Essay Topic 2

Explain why Catherine becomes obsessed with nurturing and reviving the "secret garden" of the Italian house? What insights does this preoccupation reveal about Catherine's character?

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Antonio. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What motivates him--if anything--at this point in his life?

(see the answer keys)

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