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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 12, what does Celeste make for Danny for his apartment?

2. What does Maeve tell her niece May about her rights regarding the Dutch House?

3. What is Celeste's family dog's name?

4. Why does Fluffy tell Danny she was upset the day she hit him when he was a child?

5. Who does Maeve offer to give a ride home to at the train station the night before Thanksgiving in Chapter 8?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 13, what does Fluffy tell Danny about how his father had gotten the money to buy his first plot of land?

2. In Chapter 12, what does Fluffy tell Danny that utterly shocks him?

3. In Chapter 12, what does Fluffy say about the reason for Danny's mother's charity work?

4. In Chapter 13, under what circumstances do Danny and Celeste move into their new family home?

5. In Chapter 8, what does Celeste say to Danny when he tells her he does not want to marry her right away?

6. In Chapter 8, why does Danny end up going to medical school?

7. In Chapter 12, what does Fluffy tell Danny about her life in the Dutch House and her plans concerning his father?

8. In Chapter 8, what does Danny's professor, Dr. Able, tell him about chemistry?

9. In Chapter 8, how does Danny meet Celeste on the train?

10. In Chapter 8, why does Maeve insist on driving Celeste to her family home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The main explanation Patchett offers for Elna Conroy's decision to leave her husband and young children permanently is that she could not stand to live in the Dutch House. Does this explanation seem reasonable and plausible to you in the context of the story? Write an essay explaining why or why not, citing specific references to the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

What kinds of character traits, attributes, and attitudes do you think Patchett conveys through her descriptions of Maeve's hair, height, and clothes? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to support your conclusions.

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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