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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is one of the causes of Henchard's bankruptcy?
(a) A debtor cannot pay Henchard on time.
(b) Bad weather.
(c) Farfrae steals all his customers.
(d) Henchard fires half his employees in a fury.

2. What new information keeps Donald from leaving town?
(a) Lucetta persuades him to stay in Casterbridge.
(b) Donald is offered the mayoral position.
(c) All his friends fail in their adventure abroad.
(d) His business is profiting more than ever.

3. What is the people's reaction to the skiff between Michael and Donald?
(a) They think Donald is acting unfairly.
(b) They are both unliked by the middle and lower class.
(c) They believe Michael deserves Donald's treatment.
(d) They are more interested in their own matters.

4. What does Farfrae decide to do to avenge his wife's death?
(a) Recruit all the councilman and constables for an investigation.
(b) Loiter Peter's Finger until information is retrieved.
(c) Offer a monetary award for information.
(d) Nothing because it only prolongs everyone's embarrassment.

5. In what state does Elizabeth find Henchard's gift?
(a) She never finds it.
(b) In perfect condition.
(c) Weathered.
(d) It is lifeless.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is the skimmity ride important to Jopp?

2. What becomes of Newson?

3. Rumor of the "skimmity ride" is going around. What is the feeling about this amongst the lower class?

4. How does Michael act toward Lucetta when they meet on Donald's farm?

5. How does Henchard show that he now thinks of Elizabeth above himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. Any drama in Elizabeth's life is not from her own doing. She lives to see how others bear good and bad circumstances. As Elizabeth lives her life, what overall lesson does she learn?

2. Henchard worries that Newson returns and unfolds the truth to Elizabeth. Yet, when Elizabeth goes to Michael for advice and meeting an anonymous person, Henchard tells her to go. Henchard is aware this person is Newson, so why does Henchard not tell her it is dangerous or give some excuse? Why does he lead her to the truth despite knowing he loses her?

3. Of all the places that Lucetta chooses to meet Michael, why at the Ring? Hardy sets it there in the novel, but Lucetta is unaware that Susan and Michael meet there before. What is the importance of the Ring in this chapter?

4. Michael decides to buy a wedding present for Elizabeth. Without much money, he settles on a caged goldfinch. What is the significance of the goldfinch? What does it symbolize?

5. When Henchard goes bankrupt and feels shame, he turns to Jopp. Despite his harsh behavior towards Jopp, why does Henchard turn to him?

6. In the midst of Lucetta's illness, Michael begins to see Elizabeth in a whole new way? What sparks this feeling?

7. What is the significance of Psalm 109? Why does the band refuse to play such a song? What is the irony in the lyrics?

8. After Lucetta's death, Donald and Elizabeth are seen in courtship. Compare and contrast this courtship to their first one before Lucetta came to Casterbridge.

9. When Henchard arrives at Farfrae's home, he has every intention to read Lucetta's letters to Donald and reveal the author. However, he does not. He reads the letters, but stops himself from telling anymore. Why doesn't Henchard go through with his plan?

10. Donald's singing affects Henchard before he is able to challenge the Scotchman. Why does a song affect him? What is the importance of the particular song?

(see the answer keys)

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