View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What has Dencombe just received as 'The Middle Years' opens?
(a) A letter from his wife.
(b) Notice of a friend's death.
(c) A check.
(d) His most recent book.

2. Who is the main character?
(a) A factory girl.
(b) A clerk.
(c) A Countess.
(d) A telegraph operator.

3. What does art thrive on, according to 'Art of Fiction'?
(a) Mysticism.
(b) Discussion.
(c) Real conflicts.
(d) Vision.

4. Who is Miss Vernham?
(a) The Countess' niece.
(b) The Countess' paid companion.
(c) Dr. Hugh's assistant.
(d) Dr. Hugh's lover.

5. In what month is 'The Middle Years' set?
(a) June.
(b) April.
(c) September.
(d) January.

6. What does Dencombe feel about his future?
(a) He looks forward to critical appreciation for the book he is working on now.
(b) He is apprehensive about his savings holding out.
(c) He expects to begin over again.
(d) He is depressed about his narrowing prospects.

7. How does James characterize the neighborhood where the telegraph office is located?
(a) Bustling.
(b) Upscale.
(c) Dingy.
(d) Lower-class.

8. Where do the main character and Captain Everard run into each other?
(a) In the park.
(b) In the grocery.
(c) At the theatre.
(d) In a hotel.

9. What does May Bartram buy in London?
(a) A pet bird.
(b) A golden bowl.
(c) A house.
(d) A necklace.

10. What is Miss Staverton's relationship with Spencer Brydon?
(a) Old lovers.
(b) Sister-brother.
(c) Old friends.
(d) Cousins.

11. What does Spencer Brydon do with the second house he acquires?
(a) Moves into it.
(b) Renovates it to rent it.
(c) Installs his mistress in it.
(d) Installs his friends in it.

12. What does Dencombe realize as he dies?
(a) Books only live forever if they have readers.
(b) People only get one chance.
(c) Writers are already dead.
(d) People die and get reborn all the time.

13. How does James characterize the lifestyle John Marcher leads?
(a) Quiet.
(b) Active.
(c) Philanthropic.
(d) Social.

14. What happens to Dencombe before he can tell Dr. Hugh that he is a writer?
(a) He dies.
(b) Dr. Hugh tells him about the Countess and Miss Vernham.
(c) He faints.
(d) Dr. Hugh is called away.

15. What is Dencombe's reaction to the package he has just received?
(a) He is bored.
(b) He is furious.
(c) He is thrilled.
(d) He is grateful.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Dr. Hugh create a reason to meet Dencombe?

2. What does James say a damsel in a small village can write about, if she is someone on whom nothing is lost?

3. How does James characterize the main character's feelings for her fiancee?

4. How long ago did May Bartram and John Marcher meet?

5. How do the editors characterize James' view on short stories?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 480 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample