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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. What year is it at the beginning of the novel?

2. How does George react to Aelis' marriage?

3. What day is it at the end of the first chapter?

4. What are there none of in England as of December?

5. How does Catherine describe the visitor in February?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the house have a huge feast in late February?

2. How does Catherine scare off a suitor in December?

3. How does Catherine share information about herself? What does she like to talk about?

4. What does Catherine think of the abbey and the monk's lifestyle when she visits her brother?

5. Why does Catherine cry a lot in November?

6. Describe Catherine's visit with the King's cousin.

7. Describe some of Catherine's suitors.

8. Why does Catherine consider living in a nunnery? Why does she decide against it in the end?

9. Who is Lady Aelis?

10. Describe the Christmas celebrations in December.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what ways does Catherine struggle with her role as a woman during the 13th century when women had many restrictions placed upon them? What are some things that Catherine wishes she could do? How does she go about doing them? What advice does she receive from other women?

Essay Topic 2

What is the meaning behind the bird motif in the novel Catherine, Called Birdy? Discuss Catherine's love of birds and what this love of birds symbolizes in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and interpret the character Catherine. What are her defining character traits? What is her role in the story? What struggles or obstacles does she face throughout the novel? Does she grow as a character? If so, how?

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