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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. Who dies with the person in question 163?

2. How did Isobel end up in the hospital?

3. Where is Malcolm?

4. What does Isobel do on Christmas eve?

5. What does Isobel wonder in her confusion?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Gordon meet Eliza?

2. What does Herbert do to Violet Angela, and what is Maude's response to Violet's telling her about Herbert?

3. What does Isobel say about Eunice?

4. How does Lady Fairfax end up being with Robert Kavanagh?

5. What does Gordon think of Eliza, and how do Charlotte and Vinny think of her?

6. What does Isobel say about Audrey?

7. What does Isobel say about Charles?

8. What does Isobel experience at Hilary's party?

9. What does Isobel do with Malcolm in Hilary's bedroom?

10. How does Malcolm die this time in Isobel's "vision"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Human Croquet" is a post-modern historical fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Define the word "genre" in the context of literary criticism.

2. Why do you think fiction is categorized by genre?

3. Does it help to know how a book is categorized as to its genre before reading it? Explain.

4. Post-modern historical fiction is often considered difficult to understand by many readers. What is your take on "Human Croquet" as far as ease of reading? Explain your answer with examples.

5. What is your favorite genre and why.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Human Croquet" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if this is a successful novel.

3. Is "Human Croquet" a novel you would recommend to a friend? Why or why not? Explain.

4. Can a novel be successful and yet many readers not enjoy it? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss the character of Isobel. What are her strengths? Weaknesses? How does she evolve over the course of the story? Is she likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Do you think she is a protagonist or antagonist? Why

2. Thoroughly discuss the character Charles. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he evolve over the course of the story? (or does he?) Is he likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Is he trustworthy? Wise? Would you want him as a friend? As an enemy?

3. Thoroughly discuss two other characters of your choosing. What are their strengths? Weaknesses? How do they evolve over the course of the story? (or do they?) Are they likable at the beginning of the story? At the end of the book? Are they trustworthy? Wise? Would you want them as friends? Are they likely to be enemies?

(see the answer keys)

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