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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 does Flora notice about Cold Comfort Farm?

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

3. Who is next on Flora's agenda to be fixed?

4. Of what does the atmosphere in the family gathering remind Flora?

5. How is the church decorated?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. Do you think Aunt Ada Doom is "doomed" to misery?

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

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

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

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

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

Comedy is often a part of a parody or satire. Chapter 8 is probably one of the most comedic scenes in the novel. Discuss the following:

1. Who is the Church of the Quivering Brethren? Do you think this church is parodying a "real-life" religion? Which one(s)? Why? Give examples.

2. What does the scene in the church add to the parody as a whole? Is this scene necessary to the storyline? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think comedy often is an integral part of a parody or satire? What purpose does it serve? Is the comedic scene at the Church of the Quivering Brethren successful as comedy? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Flora Poste is introduced in Chapter 1 and appears in every subsequent chapter. She is the main character and protagonist of the novel. Discuss the following:

1. What is the definition of "protagonist" as it pertains to literary criticism?

2. Do you agree that Flora Poste is the protagonist of this novel? Why or why not? Give examples from the text.

3. Do you think Flora is a sympathetic character? At the beginning of the book? By the end of the book? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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