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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 is the source of Mrs. Mingott's illness?

2. To what have Newland and May been invited?

3. What decision does Newland make regarding his travel plans?

4. About what do Newland and Ellen talk?

5. How does Ellen react when Newland kisses her palm?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ellen tell Newland and how do they decide to spend the day in Boston?

2. How does Newland respond while traveling in Europe and receiving an invitation to visit Ellen at her home?

3. How does the author show that Newland and May are settling into a boring, routine marriage.

4. What event occurs to alter Newland's Washington travel plans?

5. Explain the nature of Newland's growing disappointment with his new wife.

6. What happens when Newland picks up Ellen at the train station?

7. What is the purpose of Newland's being summoned to see Mrs. Mingott?

8. How is Ellen's unconventional behavior ultimately rationalized by friends and family?

9. What do Newland and Ellen agree to do while they are about to leave the art museum?

10. What ironic twist occurs just as Newland is about to admit his feelings for Ellen to May?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why is Ellen's arrival into the scene so controversial? Why does she make the others so uncomfortable?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Newland never break his engagement to May in order to be with Ellen? Is his sense of decorum too strong or is he perhaps afraid of what being with Ellen might actually be like? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Explain all the rumors surrounding Ellen. What indiscretions was she connected with before arriving in New York? What indiscretions does she commit while in New York?

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