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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. When Tess's baby becomes ill, she is upset because ______.

2. What does Mr. Durbeyfield do after he talks to the parson?

3. How does Tess feel when she learns that the other dairymaids are in love with Angel, too?

4. Where do Angel's parents live?

5. How does Tess feel about Alec in Chapter 9?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tess learn that Angel is in love with her, and what is her reaction?

2. Why does Tess tell Angel she will explain everything to him the next Sunday?

3. Why does Tess go to work at Talbothays, and what does she hope will happen once she is away from home?

4. Why is Tess upset when her baby becomes ill and dies, and what does this show about her attitude towards religion?

5. When Angel goes back to visit his family, things seem to have changed. Describe how he and his family see each other now.

6. In Chapter 10, one of the characters says "Out of the frying pan into the fire!" What is meant by this, and why does Hardy include this scene?

7. Describe the circumstances under which Angel and Tess see each other for the first time.

8. Describe the scene concerning the accident with the horse. What does that show about Tess's character?

9. What arguments does Angel give his parents to convince them that marrying Tess is a good idea?

10. In Chapter 5 Tess is pressured to approach the D'Urbervilles for money. What does this scene, and her response, show about her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Thomas Hardy's subtitle refers to a 'pure' woman. Discuss this idea of 'purity' with respect to the main character. Is Tess a 'pure woman' - why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

When Tess decides to go to Talbothays Dairy to work as a dairymaid, it is clear that she wants to get away from the past. But Hardy says that she is also partially motivated by "the invincible instinct towards self-delight." Discuss what he means by this, and whether you think it applies to Tess. Make sure you use concrete examples from the text to back up what you say.

Essay Topic 3

When Tess discovers that Alec has become a preacher, she doubts that his salvation is authentic. What do you think? Concentrate on Chapters 44 through 47 in answering this question.

(see the answer keys)

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