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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 Ralph bring home to surprise Catherine one night?

2. Who does Catherine visit when she goes to Chicago?

3. What does Ralph ask Catherine if she will do for him?

4. What does Ralph have built in the Italian house as a wedding gift to Catherine?

5. Where does Catherine spend a lot of time while in St. Louis?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Truitt think Antonio is just like himself at that age?

2. What does Catherine do to show that she is no longer trying to poison Truitt and is going to help him heal?

3. How can the phrase, "Such things happened" be interpreted as it relates to Alice's dismal life?

4. When does Truitt realize he is being poisoned and what does he do about it?

5. What does Truitt do regarding his business as his health rapidly deteriorates?

6. What is the significance of Catherine's clothing in the story?

7. How does a nightly glass of water symbolize Mrs. Larsen as a mother figure?

8. How long does Catherine wait before going to see Antonio and why does she write to Truitt about her upcoming visit?

9. What did Truitt discover when he went to Chicago one last time to try to help Emilia and why does he think he finally abandoned her?

10. What happens between Antonio (Manetti) and Catherine when she finally goes to his apartment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A RELIABLE WIFE is a classic story of good vs. evil. What does that classification entail? Why does this story fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Project into the future ten years and write a brief synopsis for the lives of Truitt and Catherine. Be sure to include emotional states as well as physical characteristics, geographic locations, work, hobbies, and socialization.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two examples you can identify in the novel and note why they are examples of irony.

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