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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 Edward plans to write a series of short biographies, whom does he choose as his first subject?
(a) Genghis Khan.
(b) Sir Robert Carey.
(c) Marie Antoinette.
(d) Attila the Hun.

2. To what city does Edward ultimately take the train on the day he meets Florence?
(a) Henley.
(b) Stonor Valley.
(c) Oxford.
(d) London.

3. What does Florence do as a result of reading the words, "At B attack!" on the Amadeus Quartet's performance notes?
(a) She delivers her resignation to the dean.
(b) She changes her major.
(c) She forms her own string quartet.
(d) She decides to start composing music.

4. What reason does the narrator give for both Florence and Edward's lack of hunger on the night after their wedding?
(a) The couple is too nervous about consummating their marriage.
(b) The hotel dinner is unappetizing.
(c) The couple is too excited for the move into their new home the following week.
(d) The wedding lunch had been large.

5. What is the name of Florence's younger sister?
(a) Ruth.
(b) Emily.
(c) Hailey.
(d) Christiana.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is NOT listed among the outdated beliefs about masturbation when the narrator is explaining Edward's feelings about engaging in the practice?

2. What aspect of Florence and Edward's childhoods do they most like to discuss?

3. What is Florence's nervous habit?

4. What item does Florence flirtatiously accept from Edward during their wedding night dinner at the hotel?

5. What item does Florence wear when she practices her scales that causes Edward to dream of a future daughter they might have together?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the result of Edward's suggestion that the couple go downstairs to listen to the news on the radio properly?

2. How does the theme of secrecy emerge within the narrator's statement about Edward's previous experiences in hotels?

3. What phenomenon does Florence witness when it comes to girls her age getting boyfriends and how does her realization shape her behavior?

4. What technique does Florence use in order to conceal her feelings from her family?

5. How does the author use historical context in order to shed light on Florence and Edward's behavior during their wedding night dinner?

6. For what reasons does Florence say it is harder for her to contradict her father, Geoffrey, than it is for her to contradict her mother Violet?

7. What is the author's purpose for using an allusion to the silverware collection in "the Ashmolean" (68) and how does this choice relate to a larger theme within the novella?

8. What is the significance of the "contradiction" (28) the author describes as living within Florence's soul from the moment Edward asks her to marry him?

9. What is the significance of Florence's feelings about the word "penetration"? (8)

10. What beliefs does Edward draw from listening to blues music at the Hundred Club?

(see the answer keys)

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