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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. Whose memory does Ian keep alive with the contents of the treasure box?

2. Which of the following men is Valerie betrothed to?

3. Why doesn't Elizabeth tell Ian the truth about her financial situation with Havenhurst?

4. Why doesn't Elizabeth tell Ian that she is planning to leave him?

5. What does the investigator dislike most about Ian?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ian react when he sees Havenhurst for the first time?

2. Who demands that Elizabeth leave Ian's cottage and return to Havenhurst at once?

3. What is Elizabeth's initial reaction to Montmayne?

4. Why does Ian offer to buy Elizabeth's uncle's house?

5. How does Ian convince Elizabeth's family to let him marry her?

6. Why does Elizabeth prefer to marry an older man?

7. What stipulations does Elizabeth make before accepting her engagement to Ian?

8. What rumor does Ian spread about Elizabeth at the ball, changing her status in high society?

9. Why is Ian's relationship with his grandfather so strained?

10. What does Duncan tell Ian about Elizabeth's circumstances after she leaves the cottage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

When Elizabeth's parents died, she was raised primarily with the help of her elder brother, Robert, and her faithful servants. Fist, explain how Elizabeth's life was immediately impacted upon her parents' deaths. Then, compare / contrast the ways Robert and the servants affected her childhood. Which authority figure seemed to have the greatest impact on Elizabeth's upbringing?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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This section contains 952 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample