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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. Why does Bonney protest?

2. What does Ralph promise Sir Mulberry Hawk?

3. Members of the company, speaking in turn, give what information to the audience?

4. In addition to writing the new play, what is Nicholas to do?

5. How does Pupker feel when he discovers that Nicholas is related to Ralph?

Short Essay Questions

1. With whom is Kate alone? Why?

2. What happens to Smike? How does Nicholas help him?

3. How does Bray act during his interaction with Nicholas?

4. As the play begins, what are members of the company doing?

5. How does Fanny become interested in Nicholas? Why does she become interested?

6. At the theatre in Portsmouth, the Crummles Company has just finished another successful performance. Who enters to speak with Nicholas? Why?

7. For whom does Kate now work?

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

9. How does the play end?

10. How does Nicholas end up fighting Hawk?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The death of Smike is the climax of the play.

Part 1) Describe Smike and the events surrounding his death. How is this climactic?

Part 2) What is significant about his death?

Part 3) What is another dramatic climax and secondary thematic climax? How are these climactic events connected?

Essay Topic 2

Nicholas is symbolic.

Part 1) Describe Nicholas. What does he represent?

Part 2) How does one know this is how he is symbolic?

Part 3) Why does the playwright use Nicholas to be symbolic? Use the play to support your response.

Essay Topic 3

The theme and story of Nicholas Nickleby is a reminder.

Part 1) Summarize the story. Of what is it a reminder.

Part 2) What is the author's purpose for writing a story? Why was it made into a play?

Part 3) How does this play enhance or detract from Dickens' story? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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