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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. To whom does Flora compare favorably to Mr. Mybug?

2. How will the nest with four pink eggs help Elfine?

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

4. Who is meeting Flora and Judith for lunch?

5. To whom does Flora feel a need to speak?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do you think it says about Dick that he has decided to ask Elfine to marry him after she has made herself gorgeous?

2. How is Aunt Ada Doom's manipulative efforts symbolic of the change that is occurring to the Starkadder clan?

3. Whose perspective does chapter 14 begin with and what may it portend?

4. What is Flora's next tidying-up project and how does she start it?

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 do you think is the symbolic meaning of Flora having the sukebind removed?

7. What does Harkaway tell Flora and what is her response?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The setting for this novel is primarily around Sussex, England, in the 1930s. Discuss the following:

1. Research the setting of Sussex and write a brief description of the area, its climate, the primary means of livelihood, and its location within the island of Britain.

2. Do you think Sussex is a good choice for the setting of this novel? Why or why not?

4. How different do you think the Sussex of the 1930's is from the Sussex of today? Explain some differences and similarities.

5. Examine three scenes in the novel and explain how the setting influences what happens in the action of those scenes.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

There are a number of themes in this novel, one of the most pervasive is that of Cold Comfort Farm being cursed. Discuss the following:

1. How is Cold Comfort Farm cursed? Give examples

2. Do you think the farm is truly cursed? If not, what other reasons might there be that the farm does not prosper as it could?

3. How is the "curse" lifted? Will it stay that way do you think? Why or why not? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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