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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 book does Flora consult for advice?

2. Who does Flora call after the reception is over?

3. Why is Seth happy to be going to the ball?

4. What does Flora want to know from Aunt Ada Doom?

5. What is an ominous sign when Seth, Flora and Elfine return to Cold Comfort Farm?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Aunt Ada Doom's appearance and behavior in the downstairs when Flora and the others walk in after the ball.

2. What does Flora ask Aunt Ada Doom about Flora's father and what is the answer?

3. How do you think the situation with Flora and the bull is symbolic of Flora with the lives of the Starkadders?

4. What is the parallel between Flora and Mr. Neck?

5. What might be the symbolizes of the lights being on when Seth, Elfine and Flora return to Cold Comfort Farm from the ball?

6. What does Aunt Ada Doom want on the morning of Elfine's wedding and what might her request symbolize?

7. What is the significance of the sukebind?

8. What does Flora give Elfine to help her and do you think it will?

9. What fairy tale does Elfine's debut at the dance seem most like?

10. What is ironic about the scene with Urk and Miriam?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter 3 gives an overview of Cold Comfort Farm and some of the main characters of the farm. Discuss the following:

1. What is a Gothic Novel? Give examples.

2. Though COLD COMFORT FARM is not fully a Gothic Novel, what elements in the novel are ones you might find in a Gothic novel? Give examples.

3. Do you think the Gothic elements in the novel add to the novel's purpose? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Just as COLD COMFORT FARM is a parody of naturalistic literature, so Mr. "Mybug" (Meyerburg) is a parody of the smug literary writer. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss Mr. "Mybug's" character fully. Is he a likeable character? A sympathetic character? Does he change?

2. How do you think Meyerburg's discussion of sexuality in nature adds to the novel as a parody of naturalism in literature? Discuss specific examples.

3. What do you think of Mr. Meyerburg's thesis about Branwell Bronte? Do you think there is any validity to his assertions? Why or why not? (This may require a little research into the Bronte family).

4. Does Meyerburg's literary aspirations create more or less respect for him as a character? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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).

(see the answer keys)

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