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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. Where do Cressida's two sisters want to live?

2. With what question does Horace interrupt the two women's conversation?

3. Who of Cressida's husbands was a music teacher and choir director?

4. What is the name of Cressida's other sister who is not on the ship?

5. From what ailment does Poppas suffer?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Who is not traveling with Cressida and what is one possible explanation for that?

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

5. What are some facts which Cressida learns about Bouchalka on her Sunday gathering? Is there anything in what Cressida relates to Carrie about Bouchalka that seems to foreshadow the eventual failure of his marriage to Cressida?

6. What makes Carrie speculate about the loyalties of Cressida's traveling companions?

7. How does Carrie describe Cressida's older brother and what do you think is the tone of that description?

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

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

10. Why do you think the sisters seem to tolerate Poppas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Family relationships are a recurrent theme throughout this story. In Cressida's case, she seems to have a fairly parasitic relationship with her family members. 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. How much obligation does a person have to their parents? Siblings? Other family members? Explain your answers using specific examples.

2. For a child who is raised in an abusive home (whether sexual, verbal, or physical or some combination thereof), it seems that child as an adult often responds to his/her family in one of two ways: 1. S/he continues to try to "please" the abuser and others who allowed the abuse or (2.) They reject the abuser and those associated with the abuser and have nothing further to do with them. Are either of these responses healthy? How do you think you would respond? Explains in as far as you are comfortable. What is a possible compromise to these two extremes?

3. Why do you believe Cressida allows her family and husbands to take such outrageous advantage of her? Would you do so in her situation?

4. How would you treat your family members were you very wealthy if they were of the ilk that Cressida's family is? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Cressida's professional life was quite successful; however, her personal life is a mess. This often seems to be the case among artists, especially celebrities. 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 Cressida's personal life with her professional life.

2. Compare and contrast 2 real-life celebrities' professional and personal lives (in as much as is reported about them).

3. Write an instructive essay on how one can maintain both a healthy private and professional life at the same time.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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