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 Robert idolize his father and grandfather?

2. Why does Colin quickly swim out to Mary?

3. Why does Mary awaken with a shout early one morning?

4. What continually interrupts Mary and Colin's conversation at the beach?

5. What does Caroline do to Colin's lips?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Mary's fantasy of "subjection and humiliation" for Colin? What is Colin's fantasy for Mary?

2. What is wrong with Mary at the beginning of this chapter? What does Caroline tell Colin is wrong with her? What does Colin think they need to do?

3. What does Colin confess to Mary as they are sitting on the beach? How does Mary react?

4. What does Mary discover in the apartment when she awakens?

5. How do Mary and Caroline's views on theatre differ? How are they the same?

6. Why do Mary and Colin depart the riverboat early? How does their ultimate destination differ from their intended destination?

7. Describe the interactions between Mary and Colin while they ride the river taxi. How are these different than their earlier encounters?

8. What does Caroline request of Colin? Why?

9. Why doesn't Mary respond much to Caroline's stories? What is likely the source of her silence?

10. Describe the process of Mary realizing that Colin was in the photograph at Robert's apartment

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Marriage plays an interesting role in this novel. Write an essay:

1) describing the ways marriage is portrayed in the novel

2) examining the significance of marriage in the plot and character development

3) arguing what you believe the author is trying to say about marriage through the novel.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

While Mary's children never appear in the novel, their influence is felt on the story. In your essay:

1) describe Mary's children and their life circumstances.

2) discuss at least two events where the children play a role in the scene

3) discuss the significance of the children in the scene. What do they represent?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the two main settings of the novel: Robert and Caroline's apartment and Mary and Colin's hotel room. Focus on:

1) the characteristics of the settings

2) the influence that the setting asserts on the plot of the novel

3) the ways that the setting reflects the characters "living" in it.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 995 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample