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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Besides her accompanist, what else is Poppas to Cressida?
(a) Her mentor.
(b) Her conscience.
(c) Her coach.
(d) Her lover.

2. How does Cressida explain her upcoming marriage to Carrie?
(a) As an impulsive decision of just a few months of knowing each other.
(b) As the need for Cressida to present a "normal" public face.
(c) As something that is grounded in years of building mutual trust.
(d) As the desire for a man to take care of her.

3. How do Carrie and Cressida first meet?
(a) In grammar school in their hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
(b) When their husbands were stationed together in the navy.
(c) In their freshman year of high school.
(d) As college roommates.

4. To where does Poppas want to eventually retire?
(a) To the Southwest United States.
(b) To the Kalimari dessert.
(c) To a remote city in the middle of Asia.
(d) To southern Africa.

5. What is a word Cassie uses to describe Cressida's approach to her work?
(a) Languor.
(b) Certainty.
(c) Obnoxiousness.
(d) Hesitance.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Miletus Poppas?

2. Who despise(s) Poppas?

3. Upon what does Poppas' retirement hinge?

4. Who is the primary provider during Cressida's first marriage?

5. What does the deck steward hand Cressida?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is an indication that Cressida is not so star struck over her own fame that she pays attention to others, when those who are poor and not well known?

2. Give a brief synopsis of what the reader knows about Cressida's marriages by the end of part one.

3. How well does Poppas know and understand Cressida?

4. Describe Carrie's trip to the docks to hear the reading of the names of the survivors from the Titanic.

5. Describe the relationship between Poppas and Cressida's sisters.

6. Of what does nights like the one Cressida and Carrie are enjoying at Central Park remind Cressida?

7. What are signs that Bouchalka may not be quite as dedicated a musician as Cressida believes.

8. Describe Cressida's initial impression of the violin player (Bouchalka) at the little restaurant where Carrie and she are eating.

9. How does the last paragraphs about the photograph Poppas sends reflect an important theme of this story?

10. Describe a little of what the narrator gives as Cressida's early life.

(see the answer keys)

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