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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. When the cheating overseer asks for his internal passport, what is Frank's response?

2. Where does Frank meet Kuriatin to discuss the issue when he fails to provide the wood?

3. The Reid family home in Russia burns down how far in the riots?

4. As Frank departs the Chaplaincy, Miss Kinsman follows how closely?

5. In taking over Reidka, Frank learns which overseer has been cheating the employees?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Frank do to prevent the break-in to Reid Press from escalating into a major security matter?

2. What concerns Frank following Mitya's party?

3. What does Frank do once the police have left his business?

4. When Frank tells Lisa he is sorry she never managed to study, what transpires next?

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

6. What does the reader learn in Chapter 26 regarding the reasons why Nellie left Moscow with her three children in the initial chapter?

7. What custom does Lisa partake in on the day prior to Palm Sunday that surprises Frank?

8. What is Rusalochka's like?

9. In what context does Penelope Fitzgerald use the term "spiritual" in The Beginning of Spring?

10. Who is Kuriatin, the character Penelope Fitzgerald introduces in Chapter 7?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Until Chapter 19, the reader is not made aware of the amount of pleasure the warmth of his family's life brings to Frank. How does the author achieve this? How much satisfaction does physical contact provide to Frank? How is it brought out how attune Frank is?

Essay Topic 3

Talking with Selwyn in Chapter 20, Charlie notes that Dolly is adept in the kitchen. Selwyn replies that if adult women and men live simply, doing tasks as the need arises, their children will soon seek to join in. Why does Charlie make the comment about Dolly initially? Following Selwyn's response, why is it Charlie then asks if he thought Nellie lived simply? Why does Selwyn offer no reply?

(see the answer keys)

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