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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. When Henchard meets Lucetta, she reminds him of _________.
(a) Mrs. Cuxom.
(b) The furmity woman.
(c) Elizabeth.
(d) Susan.

2. What types of people linger around the brick bridge?
(a) The destitute.
(b) The bypassers that travel through Casterbridge between work.
(c) Gossiping women.
(d) The churchgoers.

3. What is the cause of Lucetta's death?
(a) Bear of guilt.
(b) Seizures caused by the scandalous skimmity ride.
(c) An accident during the skimmity ride.
(d) Donald leaving her.

4. What surprising news do we hear about Lucetta?
(a) Lucetta leaves a fortune for Elizabeth in her will.
(b) Lucetta is pregnant.
(c) Lucetta and Farfrae are not legally married.
(d) Lucetta has more than one affair.

5. How does Lucetta react to Michael in Donald's farm?
(a) Lucetta ignores him and keeps her stride.
(b) Lucetta writes a letter requesting he stop his patronization.
(c) Lucetta stares icily until Henchard turns away.
(d) Lucetta approaches Michael and asks if he wants some tea.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the councilmen and Farfrae's plans for Henchard?

2. What does Elizabeth do with Henchard's gift?

3. In what state does Elizabeth find Henchard's gift?

4. Newly bankrupt and now a journeyman, what is the only thing Michael looks forward to?

5. What is Newson's reaction to Henchard's news about Elizabeth?

Short Essay Questions

1. Michael sees his effigy in the river and begins to lose any composure he has left. What is Michael thinking when he realizes what the image is?

2. In Lucetta's illness and death, how does Lucetta manage to manipulate the people around her? How does her reaction to the effigy, intentional or not, play her "practicable weapon"?

3. Lucetta has a brief encounter with Henchard on the farm. In her anger, she is unable to speak her mind right away and leaves. Angry at Henchard's approach, she writes him a letter to stop being so cruel. How does this show Lucetta's inability to think ahead and learn her mistakes?

4. Elizabeth is an independent woman who likes to take walks along Budmouth Road to the sea. It is a secret that she does not tell Farfrae. What is this secret and why is the sea important to her?

5. When Michael pins Donald and is in a position to throw him down the trap door, Donald yells, "... take it, take it! Ye've wished to long enough!" What effect do these words have on Michael? If Donald does not said them, what happens?

6. Longways and a couple of other men do not like the idea behind the "skimmity ride". Longways sends Donald away to help him avoid embarrassment. Why does he do this for Farfrae but not for Lucetta?

7. Although Farfrae buys Henchard's house and furniture in good faith, and offers him a room and job to help him. Describe what it feels like for Michael.

8. In chapter 32, what is becoming apparent of Elizabeth Jane? How is she changing? Is she the same person as when she lives with Henchard years before?

9. 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?

10. Whittle is not a main character, and yet plays a significant role at the end of Michael's life. Why does Hardy choose Whittle to care for Henchard? What does Whittle represent?

(see the answer keys)

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