View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Since Lisa's haircut, Frank what?.

2. Who is advancing in power in Russia, appears to be very corrupt, and concerns Frank?

3. Frank realizes it would have been better if Selwyn had been what?

4. Dunyasha, whose job is to watch the children, asks what of Frank when he does return home?

5. After reading Nellie's letter, what does Frank tell his staff?

Short Essay Questions

1. What actions does Lisa take that very much please Frank when he arrives home quite late one evening?

2. What takes place the morning before Charlie is to return to England and Frank is en route to catch the morning tram for work?

3. What does Frank tell those he finds awake when he arrives home after the break-in?

4. What sort of business transaction does Frank have with Kuriatin in Chapter 8 that now appears to be repeating itself in Chapter 12?

5. What does the reader learn of Frank's background in the opening chapter?

6. During the good-byes as the children and their governess depart for the dacha, what seems to confirm that Lisa accepts Frank's passion?

7. Why is it reasonable to describe the midnight scene in the woods surrounding the Reid dacha as the most mysterious in the novel?

8. What are Frank's plans for spring cleaning of his residence in Moscow that appear in Chapter 26?

9. What sort of character is Mrs. Graham shown to be in Chapter 18?

10. Where does Frank encounter Reverend Graham?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Selwyn describes to Frank his having come upon a woman who might be the individual to serve as the Reid governess, he relates having found her crying at work one day. What is the reason Lisa reportedly gives Selwyn for her tears? Why does Frank find this difficult to imagine taking place as Selwyn describes? What is Lisa's background that Selwyn provides Frank? Delineate the reason the reader believes causes Lisa to cry.

Essay Topic 2

Critical in Chapter 12 are the feelings Frank has toward Lisa. How does Penelope Fitzgerald accomplish revealing the state Frank finds himself in? What is the capability Frank has in recognizing and dealing with his instinctive emotions?

Essay Topic 3

During the course of the conversation Frank has with Dolly over her writing a letter to her mother, what does the reader learn that she thinks of Nellie? How does Dolly view Nellie's decision to get married and have children? What sort of way is that for a ten-year-old child to think? Does it seem unusual for Dolly?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,195 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample