View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Catharina was willing to sell out the fidelity in her marriage for ___________.

2. What did Cornelia take from Griet's chest?

3. Who told Catharina that Griet had been assisting Vermeer with his paintings?

4. How much do the Vermeers owe Pieter?

5. What did Griet smell like when her parents become suspicious?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened when Pieter met Griet's family at church?

2. How did Vermeer treat Griet differently after he saw her hair?

3. What is the significance behind the names of Griet's children?

4. Why was Catharina suddenly wary of locking Griet in the studio with her jewelry?

5. What foreshadowing was evident when the portrait was finished?

6. Why did Vermeer want to see the portrait of Griet one last time?

7. When Griet visits the Vermeers ten years later, in what condition is the family?

8. What did Cornelia do with the tortoise shell combs?

9. What does Griet's hair symbolize?

10. Did Pieter understand Griet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the main differences between Griet's family's home and the Vermeers' home? What are the main differences between the members of the two families?

Essay Topic 2

What role does religion play in both dividing and bringing together characters? What role does religion play in creating a plot for Girl with a Pearl Earring?

Essay Topic 3

What role does dissatisfaction play in the lives of the main characters in the novel? How and why is Griet dissatisfied? How does she show this?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 753 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample