View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is notable about the letters Eduard writes to Ottilie?
(a) The letters always come back in the post as "undeliverable."
(b) Charlotte intercepts the letters and answers them in Ottilie's handwriting.
(c) The content of the letters is illegible, mad gibberish.
(d) Eduard also writes responses and signs them with Ottilie's name.

2. What trait is the man who often visits the estate known for?
(a) For bragging about his wealth.
(b) For his many extra-marital affairs.
(c) For settling all manner of disputes.
(d) For high-class begging.

3. How do Eduard and Charlotte act in front of the others the morning after they sleep together?
(a) As if they are suspicious of the thoughts of others.
(b) As if they are ashamed and contrite of their actions.
(c) As if they are proud to have reaffirmed their love.
(d) As if nothing has passed between them the night before.

4. What is the object of the insult Eduard receives indirectly from the Captain?
(a) Eduard's flute playing abilities.
(b) Eduard's intelligence and education.
(c) Eduard's design sense.
(d) Eduard's family tree.

5. What act of submissiveness does Charlotte warn Ottilie against?
(a) Deferring to one's host in conversation.
(b) Stooping to pick up something dropped by a man.
(c) Walking slowly to accommodate the pace of the elderly.
(d) Lowering one's eyes before royalty.

6. What activity are the married couple primarily engaged in at the beginning of the novel?
(a) Preparing for a year long tour of Europe.
(b) Considering applications for new household staff.
(c) Deciding whether to enlarge the home itself.
(d) Improving the landscape of their estate.

7. What is one subject of the guests and hosts' conversation during the group's first dinner together?
(a) The new taxation structure favored by the monarchy.
(b) Ottilie's schooling and her future as a governess.
(c) Eduard and Charlotte's early love at court.
(d) The value of the farmstead and its surrounding fields.

8. Who visits Charlotte and decides to take her news back to Eduard?
(a) The Captain.
(b) The architect.
(c) Herr Mittler.
(d) The Count.

9. What do the main characters decide to do with the three lakes on Eduard's estate?
(a) Bring down the dams to make one large lake.
(b) Sell the land rights around the largest lake.
(c) Drain one of the lakes to irrigate the fields.
(d) Reinforce all three dams to prevent flooding.

10. What service does Ottilie volunteer to do for Eduard?
(a) Make the final copy of the farmstead sale contract.
(b) Finish the lengthy inventory of the household.
(c) Repair his many torn articles of clothing.
(d) Finalize the design of the chapel.

11. What do the Captain and Charlotte resolve to do regarding the landscape improvements?
(a) Place the entire endeavor on hold until winter is over.
(b) Hurry the work so that Eduard's energies will be more properly restrained.
(c) Expand the project to use up their extra household funds.
(d) Use their new landscaping expertise to begin their own designing business.

12. After hearing of Charlotte's physical condition, how does Eduard feel?
(a) Encouraged and refreshed.
(b) That he wants cease to exist.
(c) Ready and happy for the future.
(d) Ashamed that he deserted his wife.

13. What scientific subject becomes a main object of conversation between the hosts and their male guest?
(a) The evolution of plant and animal species.
(b) Astronomy and the movement of the solar system.
(c) Geology and its role in determining the location of mineral deposits.
(d) Certain affinities between natural objects.

14. How is the female guest of the estate related to the mistress of the estate?
(a) She is her niece.
(b) She is her young cousin.
(c) She is her daughter.
(d) She is her step-daughter.

15. What event do the men resolve should mark the celebratory finishing date of their various improvements to the landscape of the estate?
(a) Charlotte and Eduard's anniversary.
(b) The death of Herr Mittler.
(c) Ottilie's birthday.
(d) The anniversary of the Captain's arrival at the estate.

Short Answer Questions

1. What language are the household servants ignorant of?

2. What personality trait is notable about Ottilie?

3. Whom does Eduard send to speak with Ottilie in private?

4. What frightening event mars the celebration Eduard had so carefully planned?

5. What does Charlotte resolve to do when she is alone after the kiss with the Captain?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 763 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample