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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 does Mildred have dinner on a regular basis?

2. How does Helena react when Everard says that he is going away for awhile?

3. How many stories tall is Mildred's apartment building?

4. Who did Mildred live with after her parents died?

5. What does the person who Dora and Mildred meet on the way home tell them about Rocky?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mildred first meet Helena, and why does this embarrass her?

2. Who is Dora?

3. Why does Mildred visit the Malory house in Chapter 7, and what does she do while there?

4. Describe Mildred Lathbury.

5. What does Mildred discuss with the Malorys while having dinner with them?

6. What does Mildred see at Piccadilly?

7. Who is Everard Bone?

8. What does Mildred see on Ash Wednesday that she feels compelled to share with the Napiers?

9. Who does Mildred run into at church?

10. How does Helena feel about her husband's return and why does she feel this way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the title of the novel. Who are "excellent women"? What are they known for? Who are excellent women in the novel? Is this a derogatory term or a title to wear with pride?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the author Barbara Pym. What genre of novel does she usually write? Does Excellent Women have anything in common with Pym's other work? Is Pym a respected writer in her field? Are there any elements of her background found in the novel Excellent Women?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Mildred's relationship with her downstairs neighbor, Rocky. What is her first impression of Rocky? What are their feelings for one another? Does Mildred have romantic feelings for Rocky? Does Rocky have romantic feelings for Mildred?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 672 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample