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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 is Maddie's friend unable to work for the Duchess at Christmas?

2. Which family member does Vivian help look after?

3. What does the Queen's private secretary invite Vivian to do on her first day staying at the Duchess's cottage?

4. In Chapter 3, what does Maddie go to town with the Duchess for?

5. What is another name for Sandringham stables?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 4, what is the phrase both Malcolm and the Queen use to compliment Vivian's riding?

2. In Chapter 4, why does Malcolm tell Vivian he learned to ride horses as an adult?

3. In Chapter 4, what forward question does Vivian ask Malcolm about his personal life?

4. Why does Maddie tell Vivian she never takes enough time for herself in Chapter 1?

5. In Chapter 1, what does Vivian briefly worry about before she goes down to the kitchen for breakfast on her first day at Sycamore Cottage?

6. How does Vivian's daughter Maddie come to work for the Duchess in Chapter 1?

7. In Chapter 2, what has Malcolm noticed about how most people behave when they are guests of the royal family?

8. In Chapter 5, what has frustrated Vivian about her recent dates with men?

9. In Chapter 4, what does Malcolm tell Vivian is comforting about the monarchy?

10. In Chapter 2, what does Vivian tell Malcolm she thinks is funny about the way the royal family names it houses and structures?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think Guillory chooses to keep some of the finer details of Vivian's and Malcolm's lives vague in her narration? For example, the reader knows Vivian acts as a caregiver for her sister Jo, and that Malcolm is stressed by the chaos in parliament, but Guillory does not expand upon these descriptions beyond very basic information. Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What are some of the most important ways in which Malcolm is different from almost all the other men Vivian has dated in her life? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support them.

Essay Topic 3

Though the novel is narrated from a third-person point of view, Guillory alternates the focus of her chapters between Vivian and Malcolm. What effect do you think Guillory's switching of her focus between these two main characters has on the reader's perception, and understanding of, those characters? Write an essay explaining your answer.

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