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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. Upon what does Poppas' retirement hinge?

2. To where does Poppas want to eventually retire?

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

4. Why does Julia return to her stateroom?

5. Why does the narrator believe it is wise for the famous person to pose for the photographers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one possible explanation of the perfunctory greeting from Horace and Miss Julia to Carrie?

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

3. At what do Cressida's sisters marvel about Cressida and how is that not completely true?

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

5. How might Cressida's death on the Titanic be symbolic of her life?

6. What does the narrator say about Poppas's talents?

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

8. Describe the scene when Cressida discovers Bouchalka in a compromising situation. Do you think she was wise to divorce him?

9. Why does Cressida wait to travel alone on the Titanic instead of leaving London a week earlier with Horace and Poppas?

10. How well does Poppas know and understand Cressida?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Once a story, novel, or movie has been experienced in its entirety, it is obvious where there are instances of foreshadowing. 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 foreshadowing used in this story.

2. Describe some situations that can be considered foreshadowing. Why are they examples of foreshadowing?

3. What are the benefits of using foreshadowing?

4. Is foreshadowing necessary in order for the writer to be fair to the reader? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

An entire section of this story is devoted to an in-depth accounting of Cressida's relationship with Bouchalka, the Bohemian. Answer the following questions in a well-developed essay using detailed examples from the book and from your own life experience:

1. Briefly describe how Cressida meets Bouchalka and the development of their romance.

2. Does Bouchalka seem totally devoted to composing when he is first described? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think Bouchalka lost his motivation to compose once he was no longer "hungry"?

4. Do you think Bouchalka would have continued his career as an excellent composer if he had not become a "kept" man?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,126 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample