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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 does the stranger who comes to the house in Chapter 4 call from outside?

2. Who does Julian often mistake Constance for?

3. What do the village children sing songs about?

4. How does Mrs. Wright come across in Chapter 2?

5. What do Merricat and Constance find Charles doing in the kitchen in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Merricat describe her sense that something is going to change is Chapter 4?

2. How does Charles try to make conversation with Merricat in Chapter 5?

3. Describe the Blackwoods' collection of preserves.

4. Who are Julian and Jonas?

5. What does Julian ask Charles about at breakfast? How does Charles act toward Julian?

6. Which of Merricat's safeguards does she find has fallen in Chapter 4?

7. What does Merricat speak to Constance about playfully at the beginning of Chapter 5?

8. How did many members of the Blackwoods family die?

9. What does Merricat blame for the arrival of Charles Blackwood?

10. What does Mary Katherine wonder about the library books in Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and interpret the character Merricat. What are her defining character traits? Is she a reliable narrator?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the conclusion of the novel. Are there any surprises at the end? Are there any unanswered questions? Did you enjoy the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and interpret Jackson's use of ambiguity. What are some examples of ambiguity in the novel? What might the meaning be behind these examples of ambiguity?

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