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. When is Jordan's birthday?

2. Who is George Morgan?

3. What does Anthony explain to Alexandra?

4. What does Fawkes tell Jordan?

5. What does Fawkes' staff intercept?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What gossip does the Dowager Duchess start?

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

7. What increases Fawkes' belief that Alexandra and Anthony are plotting to kill Jordan?

8. What does Anthony tell Alexandra that begins her getting over grieving Jordan?

9. Why is Alexandra's status as a young, desirable widow worrisome to the Dowager Duchess?

10. How does Lord Carstairs create more tension between Jordan and Alexandra?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The topic of marriage is woven throughout Something Wonderful. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the following attitudes toward marriage that the following characters seem to take: Alexandra (both at the beginning of the novel and at the end); Jordan (both at the beginning of the novel and at the end), Lady Catherine Harrington, Jordan's mother, Mrs. Lawrence and The Dowager Duchess.

2. How do you think the characters listed above would view marriage if they had similar personalities but lived in the 21st century United States?

3. If you were someone who knew nothing of England and her social customs of the time and took a couple years to observe its people, what would you say about the institution of marriage in England at the time (early 1800s)?

Essay Topic 2

Jordan decides to marry Alexandra because he feels gratitude and partly out of pity for her. Discuss the following:

1. List three criteria which you believe are essential for a good marriage. Discuss why you choose those three and then discuss if you believe Jordan and Alexandra's relationship possesses any of those qualities. Use examples from the text.

2. List three criteria which you believe make a successful marriage impossible. Discuss why you choose those three and then discuss if you believe Jordan and Alexandra's relationship possesses any of those qualities. Use examples from the text.

3. Using the three criteria which you list for both a successful marriage and those which would greatly hinder a successful marriage, argue whether or not you believe Jordan and Alexandra's relationship marriage will be successful or a failure based upon the six criteria you cited.

Essay Topic 3

When Jordan and Alexandra arrive at an the first night of their wedding, Jordan tells Alexandra that she shouldn't worry about tonight, that he has no intention of sleeping with her. Alexandra agrees and says she never imagined he would because he would probably prefer sleeping in a room by himself, especially since she flails like a fish. Alexandra is obviously so naive, she misunderstands what Jordan is implying. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Alexandra as she changes from a rather naive woman to a sadder, but wiser, woman. What are the significant events that change Alexandra?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Aleandra's growth, do you think Something Wonderful could be considered Alexandra's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in Something Wonderful who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,392 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample