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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 is the purpose of what Aunt Ada Doom has called?

2. Why does Rennett cry?

3. How many pictures of Seth has Judith veiled?

4. What do Richard and Elfine announce at the end of the evening?

5. About what is Adam in shock?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What actually produces an emotional response from Flora (as opposed to her usual practical nature) and how does Flora deal with the situation?

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

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

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

6. What is the significance of the sukebind?

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

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

9. How are Seth's life and Elfine's life similar?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story is set in motion as Flora makes up her mind to stay with the relatives on Cold Comfort Farm. There is a mystery alluded to, which the author never solves--that of a debt owed to the daughter of Richard Poste. There is also a rather melodramatic statement that Cold Comfort Farm is doomed, as alluded to in the post card Flora receives from an unknown writer. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Why is Cold Comfort Farm doomed and does that change? Use specific examples to illustrate your stance.

2. What is the mystery about Flora Poste's father? Is the mystery solved to your satisfaction? If not, do you think the book is flawed because of this? Why do you think the author chooses not to totally solve the mystery?

3. Do the first two chapters make you want to continue reading the book? Why or why not? From what you learn in the first couple chapters, does the rest of the book seem to make sense? What does not fulfill your original expectations after reading the first two chapters? Does this have any effect on your overall satisfaction with the book?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

In chapter four, rural suspicion and urban sophistication collide as Flora arrives on the farm. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare and contrast the rural elements of the novel to the urban sophistication of Flora and her friends.

2. Discuss the ways Flora gradually gets most of the Starkadder's to trust her and to lay aside their suspicion.

3. Which characters are most likely to discard their rural mannerisms and become more a part of urbanity? Which are least likely? Give examples.

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