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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. In Chapter 5, what invitation does Vivian extend to Malcolm?

2. Why does the Duchess say all the bedrooms have fires and fireplaces?

3. What is Vivian about to ask Malcolm when they run into the Queen unexpectedly?

4. Why is Vivian looking only at the back of the horse's head she is riding on for the first part of her ride on the horse?

5. In Chapter 4, what does Malcolm tell Vivian about the current state of Parliament?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 4, how does Vivian end up feeling about riding a horse once she has done it for a short time?

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

3. In Chapter 2, what question does Vivian ask Malcolm that is very forward and has to do with race?

4. In Chapter 5, what does Malcolm do on the way back to Sandringham Estate with Vivian that takes her off-guard at first?

5. In Chapter 4, what does Malcolm tell Vivian is a good reason she should take a risk and ride one of the royal horses?

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

7. In Chapter 3, how does Vivian tell Malcolm she feels about their outing on Sandringham Estate the second day of her visit there?

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

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How would you describe the early interactions between Vivian and Malcolm, and how do Vivian's and Malcolm's communications with each other change after their first kiss in Chapter Five? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing Guillory's handling of descriptive sex scenes in the novel, like those in Chapter Ten, between two characters (Vivian and Malcolm) who are well into middle age.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter two, why do you think Vivian asks Malcolm whether there are other black people who work closely with the Queen? Why do you think Malcolm seems not to mind Vivian's asking this pointed question about race, when he has often chosen not to answer people's probing questions along these lines in the past? Write an essay explaining your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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