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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. Martha says to Cora and Frankie, "He never did like us to be late" (21). Who is He?

2. What does Luke make that he shows to Spencer?

3. What does Cracknell call his scarebeasts?

4. What does Spencer do to alleviate his embarrassment of his wealth?

5. Why does William ask Cora to use his name?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Cracknell's Gog and Magog provide him and Mrs. Ransome?

2. In the introduction, what was the young man celebrating?

3. Who writes to Cora first to invite her to visit the family in Aldwinter?

4. What is the Flying Dutchman that Cora and William saw while walking?

5. According to Cracknell, what happened to one of his goats?

6. What did Cora state emphatically about her comings and goings to Charles Ambrose while having tea?

7. Cora was out for a walk and stumbled upon what scene?

8. Luke Garrett was the first person to successfully complete what type of surgery in London?

9. What did Cora feel disgraced her during her attendance at Sunday service in Aldwinter?

10. What character is introduced reciting the parts of the human heart?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Francis, at the end of the novel, is away at school and writes his mother regularly. Explain the change in his behavior and discuss why the author chose to present him in this manner.

Essay Topic 2

Luke Garret performs heart surgery, and in the novel is the first doctor to perform surgery successfully. Discuss the changes medical science has made over the last 150 years, and how one person's courage—and arrogance—can change the course of history, using references to the novel to support your claims.

Essay Topic 3

The book begins with a young New Year's Eve reveler at the edge of the water. He is preparing to take a swim when he finds he is spooked by something in the water. Eventually, he realizes he is imagining it and takes a quick dip. Later in the novel we learn that the man was found the next day, naked with his neck broken. Why does the author begin the book in this manner? What does this sub-story lend to the overall text? What caused the man's broken neck? Provide evidence for your answer.

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This section contains 622 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample