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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. Of what does Cressida disapprove about her son?

2. Who knows Cressida more than any other person?

3. To whom does Cressida unilaterally credit for her success?

4. What statement is true concerning Poppas and Cressida?

5. What is the name of Cressida's second husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Carrie mentions Cressida's engagement, what is Cressida's response?

2. Describe Carrie's initial encounter with Cressida and her son and sister.

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

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

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

6. Does the narrator seem to indicate that Cressida and Poppas understand what the two have given each other?

7. What happens that causes Cressida to become flustered?

8. Do you believe Poppas deserves to receive the fifty-thousand dollar bequest from Cressida's estate?

9. Cressida makes the following comment when talking about Jerome to Carrie: "'Why is it? I have never cared about money, except to make people happy with it, and it has been the curse of my life. It has spoiled all my relations with people.'" Why do you think that if Cressida realizes that this statement is true, she continues to support her family and husbands?

10. How well does Poppas know and understand Cressida?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the first characters encountered in the story is a man by the name of Miletus Poppas. Poppas plays a significant role in Cressida's life. In fact, Cressida attributes her success solely to this man. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your life experience:

1. Briefly describe both the physical and emotional characteristics of Poppas.

2. Give examples from the story as to whether you believe Poppas was sincere in his love and admiration for Cressida.

3. After Cressida's death, Poppas receives a bequest of $50,000. Do you believe Poppas deserves this bequest? What does it say about the family in that they contest this bequest?

Essay Topic 2

The story opens with Cressida on an ocean voyage and ends with her death also while on an ocean voyage. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Why do you think Ms Cather chooses to frame or book end the story with ocean voyages?

2. Compare and contrast the two ocean voyages and possible symbolic meanings of each.

3. Do you think it appropriate that Cressida dies on the Titanic? Why or Why not?

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the section concerning Bouchalka, Cressida divorces him when she finds him engaged in sexual relations with the cook. Choose one of the following topics and write a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Should Cressida have forgiven Bouchalka and continued in the marriage? Why or Why not? Do you think if she had, Bouchalka would have stay faithful? Why or why not?

2. Is it realistic to expect a long-term relationship to be absolutely monogamous? Why or Why not? What are the benefits of monogamy? The cons?

3. Some couples choose to have an open relationship and accept that his/her partner will sometimes have other sexual liaisons. Is this a workable way to conduct a relationship? What are the pros and cons to such an arrangement?

(see the answer keys)

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