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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 message did Elizabeth receive that she claims was in invitation to Jake's home?

2. After touring the cottage, what opinion does Elizabeth have about Ian?

3. Why does Elizabeth turn down Ian's request to meet him after the party?

4. In what room of the house do people usually play cards?

5. How does Elizabeth react when she first hears Ian's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Viscount Mondevale?

2. How does Ian realize that Elizabeth didn't set him up in the greenhouse, but someone else did?

3. How does Elizabeth react when she realizes that her traveling group has left without her?

4. What does the mysterious note that Elizabeth receives tell her to do?

5. What fact does Lucinda overhear when she is eavesdropping on Ian's conversations?

6. What is a duenna?

7. Why does Elizabeth think that Valerie tricked her into meeting Ian at the greenhouse?

8. How does Elizabeth's friend, Alex, react when Elizabeth's uncle arranges three dates for her with three different suitors?

9. Why doesn't Elizabeth think that Ian will be waiting for her at the cottage?

10. What problem arises when Ian and his friend Jake arrive at the house in Scotland?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gossip is used as a way to both ruin and repair Elizabeth's reputation in high society. First, create a list of rumors that are spread about Elizabeth throughout the course of the novel. Then, choose one scene in which gossip is used for good, and one scene in which gossip is used for ill, and compare / contrast the ways this gossip affected Elizabeth's life. What do you think is McNaught's overarching message about gossip in this novel?

Essay Topic 2

The title of the novel, "Almost Heaven" comes up during a conversation in the Epilogue. What was this conversation about? What is the significance of the speaker who utters the words "Almost Heaven"? Based on the context of this conversation, do you find this to be an appropriate title for the novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Elizabeth finds herself frequently confused about her feelings about Ian. Choose two examples of scenes in which Elizabeth is confused about her feelings. What prompts the confusion in each of these scenes? How does Elizabeth get to the bottom of her feelings and desires? What message do you think McNaught is attempting to give the readers about the mentality of women at the time in which this novel is set? Do you agree with this message? Why or why not?

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