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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. For whom is Mrs. Kenwigs waiting?

2. What does Smike say to Nicholas when he comes across him on a road to London?

3. To avoid confrontation with the Kenwigs, what has this man arranged?

4. Back at Dotheboys, what is Squeers doing to Smike?

5. What does Kate refuse to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What good news does Noggs have for Nicholas?

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

3. What happens when Nicholas encounters John Bowdie?

4. Where is Noggs expected?

5. What happens with Mr. Mantalini's outstanding bills?

6. What does Nicholas do to help Smike?

7. In a roadside tavern, what do Nicholas and Smike learn?

8. What happens when Noggs goes downstairs?

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

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

An aspect of Dickens' work is that his stories tend to be about the tensions between rich and poor.

Part 1) Describe that tension in this story.

Part 2) Why might this be important to Dickens?

Part 3) How is this relevant today?

(see the answer keys)

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