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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. On what holiday does Mr. Davidson plan to return to the chapel?

2. In what month will a person die if he or she touches the carvings, in the story "The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral"?

3. Who killed Squire Francis Bowles?

4. Where is the inn that Mr. Thomson stays, in the story "Rats"?

5. Why did Mr. Lake go to the cathedral, in "An Episode of Cathedral History"?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "The Uncommon Prayer-Book," what does Mrs. Porter says is wrong at the church?

2. What passage does Mr. Humphreys find that describes the maze?

3. What is unusual about Betton Woods?

4. In "The Malice of Inanimate Objects," how do the objects attack the men in the story?

5. Why is Mr. Karswell, one of the main characters in "Casting the Runes," a vicious man?

6. Who reads Mr. Karswell's paper, in "Casting the Runes," and what happens to this person?

7. Who is Mr. Poschwitz, in the story "The Uncommon Prayer-Book"?

8. How does Miss Denton use the diary, in the story "The Diary of Mr. Poynter"?

9. What inheritance does Mr. Humphreys receive from his uncle?

10. Who is Mr. Denton haunted by in "The Diary of Mr. Poynter," and what does he learn about that person?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define the term climax and decide where the point of climax is within a story of your choice. Explain how the event fits the definition of climax and site examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Identify the plot and subplot, in "An Episode of Cathedral History." Be sure to provide the definitions for both terms in your answer. How does James effectively keep the reader engaged without confusing them?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significance of the prayer books, in "Uncommon Prayer-Books." What is the significance of this story and how does it apply to the theme of magic and religion?

(see the answer keys)

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