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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. Where does Nicholas say they are going?

2. Kate is alone when who arrives to repossess the Mantalinis' belongings?

3. What do Mrs. Nickleby and Kate help Nicholas do, before he leaves for Dothesboys Hall?

4. While out on a walk through the school's gardens, Nicholas meets Fanny and Tilda who do what?

5. How does Ralph react when Kate begins to cry out of gratitude and relief?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Nicholas travel? Why?

2. What takes place at the tavern?

3. For what is Gride preparing?

4. How does the death scene of Romeo and Juliet change from the original plot?

5. How does Mrs. Nickleby help Verisopht, Hawk, Pluck, and Pyke?

6. How does the performance end?

7. How else has the story of Romeo and Juliet changed?

8. As Nicholas arrives at Dotheboys, how does he feel?

9. How does the play end?

10. Why does Ralph come calling on Kate and her mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The story has a central theme.

Part 1) What is this theme? How is this revealed in the story?

Part 2) Why does Dickens choose this as a theme?

Part 3) How does this theme touch the lives of all the main characters?

Essay Topic 2

Ralph is symbolic.

Part 1) Describe Ralph. What does he symbolize?

Part 2) Why does he symbolize what he does?

Part 3) Compare Ralph's symbolism to Nicholas? What does this reveal?

Essay Topic 3

Parallel scenes from other stories are used in this story.

Part 1) What other stories are found in this story? What is the purpose of this?

Part 2) How do these stories enhance Dickens' story?

Part 3) How does the way these stories are used reflect the time in which Dickens' story takes place?

(see the answer keys)

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