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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. Who promises to secure invitations to the Hawk-Monitor's

2. Where does Flora take Elfine?

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

4. What does not calm Flora?

5. What does Adam sing as he milks the cows?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do you think Flora is feeling by the end of the wedding?

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

4. What does Dr. Mudel suggest to "fix" Judith Starkadder and what do you think is Judith's fixation that is causing problems?

5. What is the significance of the sukebind?

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

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

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

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

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

In response to her new living situation after the death of her parents, Flora decides to stay with members of her family and then eventually get married. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Flora plans to eventually marry? What are her motives for this decision?

2. As Flora discusses her marriage plans for the future in chapter one, do you think she is planning to marry for love? Why or why not? What about at the end of the novel?

3. Why do you think marriage is one of the best (or one of the few) options for women in 1930s England?

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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