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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The narrator reveals that Florence and Edward "regarded themselves as too" what "to believe in destiny" (45)?
(a) Religious.
(b) Smart.
(c) Philosophical.
(d) Sophisticated.

2. What is NOT listed among the outdated beliefs about masturbation when the narrator is explaining Edward's feelings about engaging in the practice?
(a) Masturbation causes blindness.
(b) Masturbation is sinful.
(c) Masturbation causes hair to grow on one's palms.
(d) Masturbation is detectable due to the appearance of the person engaging in it.

3. What does the narrator describe as the result of Florence's infrequent episodes of showing affection to her father Geoffrey?
(a) Her mother becomes jealous and mistreats her.
(b) She is given everything she wants for a few weeks.
(c) Her father leaves her alone for a few weeks.
(d) She loathes herself later.

4. When Edward plans to write a series of short biographies, whom does he choose as his first subject?
(a) Sir Robert Carey.
(b) Marie Antoinette.
(c) Attila the Hun.
(d) Genghis Khan.

5. When Edward wonders whether he should find a proper job instead of pursuing his writing, what job does he imagine taking?
(a) History professor at a university.
(b) History teacher at a middle school.
(c) History teacher at a grammar school.
(d) History teacher at a high school.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Florence's sole source of information about sex?

2. In what subject does Edward earn his first degree?

3. What is NOT one of Florence's favorite actions that the other girls at her hostel take?

4. Under what type of tree does Edward always read in order to stay out of his mother's reach during his visits home?

5. What image is on the paperback guide that Florence relies upon for information about sex?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the event that galvanizes Edward's determination to marry Florence?

2. In a rare moment of assertiveness, Florence tells her mother Violet that she is disappointed in her. What reason does she give for her disappointment?

3. What is the sole location that Florence and Edward determine is the only instance when they were in the same place at the same time before meeting?

4. How does the theme of secrecy emerge within the narrator's statement about Edward's previous experiences in hotels?

5. What is the author's purpose for including the detail that on the cover of Florence's paperback guide for brides is "portrayed two smiling bug-eyed matchstick figures holding hands, drawn clumsily in white chalk, as though by an innocent child" (12)?

6. What is the significance of the "contradiction" (28) the author describes as living within Florence's soul from the moment Edward asks her to marry him?

7. What legend exists about the shingle on Chesil Beach and how does it inform the couple's plans?

8. For what reasons does Florence say it is harder for her to contradict her father, Geoffrey, than it is for her to contradict her mother Violet?

9. How does Florence describe her mother Violet's use of physical affection?

10. What is the author's purpose for using an allusion to the silverware collection in "the Ashmolean" (68) and how does this choice relate to a larger theme within the novella?

(see the answer keys)

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