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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. Ralph is aware that his relationship with Catherine is beginning with __________________.

2. What does Ralph expect of Catherine?

3. Catherine realized a while ago that she cannot live without love or ____________________.

4. Who was the father of Emilia's son?

5. What question does Antonio ask Catherine when he stops at her table?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Truitt's thoughts about Antonio even though he and the boy hated each other years ago?

2. What is Ralph Truitt doing as the novel begins?

3. How does Catherine spend her time in St. Louis?

4. What were the circumstances in which Emilia left Truitt?

5. What is the significance of Truitt's mother stabbing him with a needle and then the resulting scar that reminds him of the act?

6. What are some of Truitt's thoughts during his delirium, especially related to his domineering mother and his own youthful thoughts of lust?

7. How is Ralph described by the emotions he wears on his face as well as his obsession with sex?

8. Describe the carriage accident in which Ralph is hurt.

9. What is the one expectation that Truitt has of Catherine by sending her to St. Louis?

10. Who are the two main characters in A RELIABLE WIFE?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the Larsens. What are their roles in the story? What was the author trying to accomplish by creating the Larsens in the story?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Why did Truitt decide to keep Catherine in spite of the fact that she misrepresented herself? Why did Truitt allow his relationship with Catherine to begin with a lie? What do Truitt's decisions say about his character?

(see the answer keys)

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