View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old is Mary's child when she first arrives in St. Hilaire?

2. What do people do to make a living in the village of St. Hilaire?

3. What reason does Maureen give to her boss for why she could not travel out of the city for assignments?

4. What kind of jewelry was Maureen wearing her first day on the job that Jeffrey remembers and describes to Helen?

5. What season do Harrold and Mary get married in?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mary "keep the fear at bay" on the first day at the cottage?

2. When is the first time Mary sees Jack Strout?

3. Describe the setting of St. Hilaire.

4. What changes does Maureen make in her job at the magazine because of Harrold?

5. How does Julia Strout describe Mary to the reporter Helen Scofield?

6. What is one positive memory of Mary's childhood in Chicago?

7. What does Maureen do when she goes to the general store in St. Hilaire?

8. Is Muriel Noyers sympathetic to Maureen?

9. Describe Willis Beal and his behavior at Mary's cottage.

10. How does Harrold's father treat Harrold and Maureen when they visit him in Rhode Island?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What first attracted Maureen to Harrold? What does she say about their early relationship? In what way did he act as her mentor? How did that change?

Essay Topic 2

What role does alcohol play in Harrold's violent temper? Does he not remember hitting Maureen? How does he act the next morning after he has abused her?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Mary's decision-making process when she decides to kill Harrold. What other alternatives does she explore and discard before she decides to kill him with Jack's gun? What does she believe she will never have if he lives?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 818 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample