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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. How does Catherine plan to kill Ralph?

2. How old was Catherine when her mother died?

3. What was the only thing Emilia took with her when she left Ralph?

4. What is one of Ralph's bedtime rituals?

5. Who does Catherine visit when she goes to Chicago?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the link between poison and passion for Truitt at this point in his life?

2. What does Truitt do regarding his business as his health rapidly deteriorates?

3. What is the nature of the encounter between Catherine and Alice in present day St. Louis?

4. How does Truitt think Antonio is just like himself at that age?

5. Why does Antonio delight in telling Catherine about where Alice is?

6. Describe how Catherine vacillates on poisoning Truitt and how she makes the decision to stop altogether.

7. Why did Catherine prostitute herself and how does Alice end up doing the same thing?

8. How does a nightly glass of water symbolize Mrs. Larsen as a mother figure?

9. What had been Truitt's experience with arsenic when he was a younger man?

10. When does Truitt realize he is being poisoned and what does he do about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A RELIABLE WIFE is a classic story of good vs. evil. What does that classification entail? Why does this story fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of girls and women in early 20th century America. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century women do not have?

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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