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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. How long is Portia supposed to stay with Anna and Thomas?

2. What is the school Portia attends like?

3. Where does Thomas work?

4. Who stops by the Quaynes' home at the beginning of part 1, chapter 7?

5. Where did Mr. Quayne meet Irene?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Matchett feel about Mrs. Quayne?

2. What is the conversation that Portia has with Thomas in chapter 9?

3. What is contained in the first three letters Portia receives from London?

4. Why does Dickie ask Portia to dance at the party?

5. Why does Portia have to go stay on the coast in spring?

6. What advice does Daphne give Portia, regarding Eddie?

7. According to Matchett, what changed about Portia during her trip to Waikiki?

8. How does Major Brutt feel about Anna and Thomas's marriage?

9. What does St. Quentin tell Portia about friendship?

10. Why does Mr. Bursely make Portia so uncomfortable at the party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An author's own convictions often shine through in his/her work. At what points in the novel do you think Bowen is voicing her own opinions? How does she accomplish this? How effective is she in masking her own feelings with the voices of her characters? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Bowen utilizes foreshadowing throughout the novel; for example, in the warnings Portia received from others regarding her relationship with Eddie. How effective is Bowen's use of foreshadowing? Are there any other literary devices that would have been as effective in these situations? If so, what are they? Was the foreshadowing too obvious, or was it an effective tool for storytelling? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Bowen utilizes many different literary devices throughout the course of the novel. Choose one of these devices, and examine Bowen's usage throughout the novel. How effective is Bowen's employment of this device? Are there any ways in which her usage of it could have been more effective? If so, how? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

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