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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. What does Clarissa say about Mrs. Howe's refusal to help her?
(a) Clarissa says Mrs. Howe made the right decision in refusing to help her.
(b) Clarissa says Mrs. Howe is the meanest old woman she knows.
(c) Clarissa says Mrs. Howe is going to pay for refusing to help her.
(d) Clarissa says that Mrs. Howe's decision proves that she is out of her mind.

2. Why does Lovelace think it has been easy for Clarissa to be virtuous so far?
(a) Because Clarissa is not smart enough to see opportunities.
(b) Because Clarissa grew up in a convent.
(c) Because Clarissa was promised a lot of money if she would be virtuous.
(d) Because Clarissa has not had any big temptations yet.

3. What does Lovelace say is the cause of all his sins?
(a) His love of money.
(b) His drinking.
(c) His love of women.
(d) His high opinion of himself.

4. Who wrote the letter about Lovelace that Solmes reads?
(a) It's anonymous.
(b) Uncle Antony.
(c) Miss Howe.
(d) Lovelace wrote it himself.

5. Which of the following is one of the things Lovelace wrote in a forged letter, which is made to look like it was written by Miss Howe?
(a) That Clarissa should not care about being ruined, since it's silly to expect a woman to stay a virgin until she is married.
(b) That Mr. Lovelace raped Miss Howe while she was on her way to visit her aunt.
(c) That Lovelace no longer intends to ruin Clarissa.
(d) That Mr. Hickman has ruined Miss Howe.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Mr. Belford disapprove of Lovelace's plan to "test" Clarissa?

2. Why does Clarissa faint when she finds out that they cannot leave the Widow Sinclair's house because Charlotte is sick?

3. Who is Tomlinson, really?

4. On whose birthday does Lovelace tentatively plan a wedding?

5. At the end of this section (letters 56-74), who is Clarissa pinning her hopes on?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do you think Lovelace can not maintain his feelings of repentance?

2. Why do you think Clarissa is so concerned about the curse her father put on her?

3. When Miss Howe describes Clarissa's character in response to Belford's request, how closely does the description Miss Howe gives fit your understanding of Clarissa's character as it has been developed earlier in the novel?

4. What is the point of Clarissa leaving nothing to James, Arabella or Lovelace?

5. Do you think Clarissa's situation after she runs off with Lovelace is worse than what would have happened to her if she had stayed at her parents?

6. Explain why Clarissa would think she has a "duty" to ask her family to give her a last blessing.

7. Do you believe Lovelace will really go through with his plot to rape Miss Howe and Mrs. Howe? Why or why not?

8. How does Belford's behavior after Clarissa's death develop his character?

9. Lovelace says he does not want to use force, but he doesn't know how to overcome Clarissa's will. What options does he have?

10. Do you think it's right for Miss Howe to wear mourning clothes, even though Clarissa told her not to? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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