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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. How does Adam try to get out of picking up Flora?

2. Who offers to rescue Flora in his plane?

3. Who are Graceless, Pointless, Feckless, and Aimless?

4. What does Flora ask of Judith?

5. What seems to be Flora's feelings towards Charles?

Short Essay Questions

1. To which relatives does Flora write?

2. Describe Flora's conversation with Reuben about Cold Comfort Farm; do you think Flora is sincere?

3. What do you think it says about Flora's personality that she thinks Mr. Mybug will undoubtedly fall in love with her?

4. What does Aunt Ada Doom keep talking about and what's your "take" on this?

5. How does Flora put one plan into action to help two of the Starkadder men--Reuben and Amos--to fill a role that is most suited to them?

6. What does Judith tell Adam and what does this suggest about Cold Comfort Farm?

7. Give a brief description of Cold Comfort Farm.

8. What would be an apt title for this chapter and why?

9. What is a probable foreshadowing in this chapter and why do you think so?

10. What surprises Flora about Mrs. Beetle and how do you interpret Flora's reaction to Mrs. Beetle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wrapping it up: Though COLD COMFORT FARM is a parody of another type of genre, its characters are endearing and memorable and much of what happens to the characters is not entirely in the realm of improbability. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Discuss the tradition of storytelling and how it is used in this novel.

2. Each person in this novel, and in "real" life has his or her own "story." Choose three characters and briefly tell his or her "story" from a different perspective than that which is shown in the book.

3. Stories can be classified in various ways--"tall tales" are obviously not meant to be believed as having actually occurred. Factual stories supposedly tell something exactly as it truly happened. Many stories are a mixture of fact and fiction. Choose four of the stories in this book and analyze them as to their seeming veracity, their purpose, and how they add to the plot and major themes.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of symbols in the story, one being the bull called "Big Business," who figures predominantly in Chapter 12. Discuss the following:

1. Why do authors use symbols instead of just being straightforward and telling the reader what s/he should know?

2. How is the bull's name is symbolic? Give several specific examples.

3. Identify two other symbols in the book and their meaning in relation to the book's theme(s).

Essay Topic 3

Some readers might argue that Flora is an empathetic character despite her meddling ways. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to be an empathetic character? Give examples from other books/stories you have read.

2. Do you think Flora is an empathetic character? Why or why not? Give examples to support your stance.

3. If Flora is an empathetic character, does this make her meddling more honorable or justifiable? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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