View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Major Brutt feel about Anna's marriage to Thomas?

2. What does Eddie say to Portia about Anna?

3. What is Portia's last memory of her mother?

4. Where does Anna send Portia in part 1, chapter 2?

5. What advice does Matchett give Portia about Eddie?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Matchett feel about Mrs. Quayne?

2. Why is Mrs. Heccomb looking forward to Eddie's visit?

3. How does Portia perform in school?

4. What was Eddie and Anna's relationship like after Eddie started working for Thomas?

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

6. On what nights does Matchett say goodnight to Portia?

7. How does Thomas feel about Portia?

8. Why doesn't Portia want to write in her diary how she feels about leaving Waikiki?

9. What does Thomas notice about Portia and Eddie?

10. What does Portia think about as she sits in Thomas's study with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Eddie and Portia had a rocky relationship, with many ups and downs. Was there a single turning point that resulted in the end of Eddie and Portia's relationship? If so, what was it? If not, how did the gradual changing of their relationship progress? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Bowen ends the novel with a cliffhanger; what will happen to Portia, or any of the other characters never is really established. Why do you think Bowen chose to do so? How satisfying is this ending to the reader? Why? Would you have liked to see a stronger resolution? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Portia has many weaknesses; her insecurity, her eerie silence, et cetera. Choose one of these weaknesses, and examine how it might have contributed to her poor relationship with Eddie. After the relationship with Eddie came to an end, was this facet of her character improved, or worsened? Why? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 779 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample