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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. In Chapter 2, what is Danny's mother's behavior leading up to her leaving the family?

2. What does Andrea tell Maeve when she offers to take the reins of her father's business after he dies?

3. In Chapter 5, where does Maeve spend part of Christmas?

4. In Chapter 2, who is the person in Danny's life that is closest to a mother figure?

5. Who came to tell Danny and Maeve their father wanted them to meet Andrea the first time she came to the house in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the Dutch House called the Dutch House?

2. When Cyril Conroy bought the Dutch House, what kind of a state was it in?

3. In Chapter 2, what does Danny do every Saturday with his father, and why is it important?

4. In Chapter 2, how does Danny say he feels about his mother?

5. In Chapter 3, what does Andrea do one day that greatly surprises Danny and Maeve?

6. In Chapter 2, what does Danny's father do for a family with a very sick child that Maeve is surprised to hear about?

7. What happens to Maeve shortly after her and Danny's mother leaves the family?

8. What is the significance of the two large portraits hanging in the drawing room of the Dutch House?

9. In Chapter 1, what do Danny and Maeve think about the fact that their father wants them to meet a friend at the house on a Saturday?

10. In Chapter 5, what does Danny's father do on a whim that is hugely significant for Danny?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sandy and Jocelyn, the sisters who are long-time domestic workers at the Dutch House, are lifelong friends and protectors of the Conroy children. Write an essay exploring what Sandy and Jocelyn mean to - and symbolize for - Maeve and Danny.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing the symbolism and meaning of May Conroy's acquiring the Dutch House at the end of the novel, returning the ownership of the building to the Conroy family again.

Essay Topic 3

While Danny carries some resentments towards his father Cyril into adulthood, he generally regards his father with respect and goodwill. Danny does, however, lament that his father neglected to show more warmth and affection towards him and Maeve. Write an essay comparing and contrasting the way Danny remembers Cyril parenting himself and Maeve with how Danny himself parents his own children, May and Kevin.

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