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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. Dorothea and Casaubon argue over what in Chapter 19?

2. What does Will Ladislaw bring to the funeral?

3. What happens to Fred after he visits Mary?

4. To whom does Lydgate announce his marriage plans?

5. What rumor actually helps Lydgate's reputation, no matter how much he denies its veracity?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens on the night of Featherstone's death?

2. What are the objections that the men of Middlemarch express about the way Lydgate practices medicine?

3. What do Dorothea and Will talk about during Will's visit?

4. Casaubon admits to himself that he chose to marry Dorothea for what reasons?

5. What happens as Mr. Brooke and Dorothea are touring Tipton?

6. What is the purpose of Dorothea's first visit to Lowick? What happens there?

7. Why does Casaubon propose to Dorothea?

8. Why do the Vincys get a new family doctor?

9. What reasons does Ladislaw give Naumann for being tired of art lessons?

10. What do Featherstone's two wills state?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the various relationships presented in the novel. What reasons did each couple have for their respective unions? Did the reasons for these marriages appear to affect their outcomes (for example, were marriages based on love longer lasting or more satisfying than relationships based on mutual gain)? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Imagine if the characters of "Middlemarch" lived today. Choose one character. How would their life be different? What place in society would they occupy? Do you think their story would have ended differently? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the author's use of foreshadowing in the novel---for example, the first mention of how Casaubon's work is affecting his health in Chapter 21 foreshadows the fact that he literally works himself to death later. Is this an effective style? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

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