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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. In what does Ralph try to interest Antonio?

2. What is Antonio's demeanor in the Italian house?

3. What is the only regret Ralph has as he faces death?

4. How does Antonio break up with Violet?

5. When Ralph was a young man, he used arsenic as an aphrodisiac in ___________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way are Truitt and Antonio similar in the way they use sex?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall setting for the story. Why does the author use the setting he does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Create a brief character study of Truitt. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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