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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Tom Jarndyce is ___________.
(a) The victim of murder.
(b) The subject of a class action suit.
(c) The grandson of a famous lawyer.
(d) The original litigant in Jarndyce v. Jarndyce.

2. Esther Summerson is raised by ___________.
(a) Her aunt, Mrs. Kenge.
(b) Her godmother, Mrs. Barbary.
(c) Her godmother.
(d) Her aunt, Miss Donny.

3. The High Chancellor Mr. Tulkinghorn, serves as ___________.
(a) A traveling justice of the peace.
(b) Solicitor for Lady Dedlock and Sir Leicester.
(c) A leading priest in the church.
(d) The judge of the district court.

4. Mrs. Rouncewell is ___________.
(a) Mr. Dedlock's housekeeper.
(b) A mother of daughters.
(c) A guest of Tony Jobling.
(d) Mr. Skimpole's housekeeper.

5. Wy does Guppy want to get Esther tied into the Jarndyce case?
(a) So she will accept his marriage proposal.
(b) So she will share her wealth with him.
(c) So that she can finally claim her true mother.
(d) So that she and Mr. Jarndyce can marry.

Short Answer Questions

1. Mr. Jarndyce is the ___________.

2. Richard decides to be a lawyer because ___________.

3. Richard expects that ___________.

4. Mrs. Pardigle is focused on ___________.

5. Mr. Skimpole is ___________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Poor Guster, the Snagsbys' maid, is given to seizures. Why does Guster fit in so well with the Snagsbys?

2. Who is Miss Flite, and what is her interest? What is the significance of her birds?

3. What purpose does it serve having Lady Dedlock take a shine to the lovely new maid, Rosa?

4. It seems curious that Dickens' characters tend to go to certain places for no apparent reason, such as Jarndyce agreeing to visit Neckett's place. In any case, a curious theme that seems to resurface is the neglect of children. Discuss your ideas about why Dickens continues to bring up this theme.

5. Why do you think Judy Smallweed is so cruel to her maid?

6. What is the point of Esther, Ada, and Richard spending a night at the Jellybys'? What does Dickens accomplish with this break in their journey toward Bleak House?

7. Describe the general scene in the Chancery hearings on the Jarndyce suit, and London, as it is set by Dickens in the first chapter. Is there anything attractive or alluring about the ambience of either?

8. Discuss Mr. Guppy's pursuit of Esther as he follows her around the city. How would this be viewed today?

9. Discuss the fact that Dickens' culprit turns out to be Mademoiselle Hortense. Why did he not choose a different character?

10. What is interesting about Smallweed demanding money for the letters he once had in his possession?

(see the answer keys)

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