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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. Besides Cressida's wealth, what else do Cressida's sisters covet?

2. What is the narrator's name?

3. Where does Cressida ask Carrie if she has visited lately?

4. How does Cressida's trust in and loyalty to Poppas reflect some other aspect in her life?

5. What does Cressida do when she spies Carrie?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What could be a possible explanation for the reactions to the engagement by Cressida's family?

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

4. Who is the main character featured at the opening of the novel and what is her situation?

5. Could Cressida be characterized as a musical genius? Explain your answer.

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

7. Why does Cressida go to England and does she accomplish what she wants to there?

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

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

10. Briefly describe Carrie's initial meeting with Bouchalka at Cressida's home on Sunday.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

For much of Cressida's professional life, she is on top of the game. She is often chosen for a part over other better singers because of her vitality and sureness. In the latter part of her life, her energy flags as does her career. 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 Cressida is more successful when she enjoys her singing as opposed to when she has to sing to earn money when she is married to her last husband?

2. Do personal relationships impact the quality of output by an artist?

3. How can a personal relationship enhance one's artistic production?

4. Is there anything you feel so passionate about that you think a romantic relationship would hinder? Explain your stance.

Essay Topic 2

In Part 4, when Carrie writes about Cressida being lost on the Titanic, Carrie explains that one reason Cressida waited to sail on the Titanic instead of returning a week earlier with Poppas and Horace is for the exposure to the press she would receive. Carrie writes that Cressida "believed that all advertising was good." 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. Compare and contrast how advertising is used today versus how it is used in the era of the Titanic's sinking.

2. Discuss the various goals of advertising and some means advertiser use to obtain those goals.

3. Should advertisers be regulated by the government? Why or why not? Use explicit examples to support your stance.

Essay Topic 3

Flashbacks are used several times in this story. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Explain the technique of flashback used in this story.

2. Describe some situations that can be considered flashbacks. Why are they flashbacks?

3. What are the benefits of using flashbacks?

4. How can flashbacks be confusing? Does this happen in this story?

(see the answer keys)

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