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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 the narrator feel about Mrs. Fosdick once she meets her?

2. What does the narrator conclude based on Mrs. Todd's revelation?

3. Why does the Captain believe he knows "the truth" about life after death?

4. How old does the Captain say he is?

5. What was the cause of the Captain's experience?

Short Essay Questions

1. What change does the narrator observe in Mrs. Todd at the Bowden family reunion?

2. What do you conclude from Joanna's revelation that she committed "the ultimate sin" and her advice to Mrs. Todd that she love her new husband?

3. What does the narrator know about Captain Littlepage before he comes to visit her?

4. Describe Mrs. Todd's personal characteristics.

5. Does Captain Littlepage believe Gaffett's story? How can you tell?

6. Explain Mrs. Todd's perspective on what the others have said about Sant Bowden.

7. The novel uses a series of stories to describe life in this little town. Choose one of these stories told by the characters, paraphrase it briefly, and explain its significance.

8. Describe the way that the narrator's decision to write at the schoolhouse affects her relationship with Mrs. Todd.

9. What role do the furnishings in Elijah Tilley's house play in Chapter 20?

10. Describe the way Mrs. Todd reacts to the narrator's leaving.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Drawing on what the reader learns from Mrs. Todd's conversation with the narrator in the pennyroyal patch on Green Island, describe the complexity of Mrs. Todd's relationship to her late husband.

Essay Topic 2

What do you think the narrator learns about human nature from her friendships with the people of Dunnet? Focus on one character in your answer and support your view.

Essay Topic 3

On Green Island, the narrator reflects on the house, saying: "Here was the real home, the heart of the old house on Green Island!" Use this quote as well as other examples to explain the importance of their homes to the people of Dunnet.

(see the answer keys)

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