View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Jordan decide not to divorce Alexandra?

2. What makes a big change in Alexandra's personality?

3. What happens when Jordan and Lord Camden are talking?

4. What is Alexandra endangering?

5. What does Jordan feel about Alexandra right after the family gets back from the church?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jordan postpone his official duties for the day?

2. What does Jordan hint about to Alexandra?

3. What two small mistakes does Alexandra make on the night of her coming out?

4. What does the Dowager finally ask of Anthony and what is his response?

5. How is Anthony and Alexandra's marriage halted just before the pronouncement of husband and wife?

6. What does Alexandra do that upsets Jordan the next morning and what does he order her to do?

7. What does everyone not know about Jordan at the time of Alexandra's coming out ball?

8. How does Jordan learn the truth about Alexandra's behavior while he was imprisoned?

9. How do Jordan and Alexandra differ in their reactions to being at Hawthorne?

10. What happens to Nordstrom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Something Wonderful based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Something Wonderful is a successful novel.

3. Is Something Wonderful a novel you would recommend to a friend? Why or why not? Explain.

4. Can a novel be successful and yet many readers not enjoy it? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Something Wonderful help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Something Wonderful? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Something Wonderful to discuss and compare Jordan's or Alexandra's response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Something Wonderful takes place in and about London, England in the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Research and discuss the political and cultural setting of Europe in the early 1800s. How do you think the cultural milieu informs the plot of Something Wonderful? Explain.

2. Discuss the lives of Jordan and his social group in light of the class structure in England at the time of Something Wonderful. Do their behaviors seem superficial considering that the Napoleonic Wars are ongoing?

3. How would the plot be impacted if the setting were in the United States at that time? How about in England in the 21st century?

4. How important do you think it is to understand the setting of a particularly book? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,113 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample