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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. Why is Ralph embarrassed to have Mrs. Larsen change his bedding?

2. How does Ralph know he is being poisoned?

3. How does Ralph feel when he realizes that he is being poisoned?

4. Why does Ralph value Mrs. Larsen so much?

5. From what disease did Emilia die?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Who is Violet Alverson and how does Antonio cavalierly destroy her?

4. How does Truitt feel when Catherine returns home without Antonio and what is Truitt's suggestion for their life?

5. What is the nature of the encounter between Catherine and Alice in present day St. Louis?

6. What does a flashback reveal about Catherine and Alice's sad childhood?

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

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

9. What does Antonio reveal to Catherine about his mother's death and what does he say he feels towards his father?

10. What does Truitt confide to Catherine about Emilia's behavior after she left and how her life deteriorated?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Greed takes on a human persona in this story especially surrounding the characters of Catherine and Antonio. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 2

Explain why Catherine becomes obsessed with nurturing and reviving the "secret garden" of the Italian house? What insights does this preoccupation reveal about Catherine's character?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Ralph allow himself to be gradually poisoned by Catherine, even after he's aware of what's happening to him? What does this decision say about his character?

(see the answer keys)

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