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. Who does Michael Seaborne believe should raise his child?

2. Why does Cora think it is a shame that William remains a pastor?

3. What does Spencer allow Garrett to do to him?

4. Who are Gog and Magog?

5. Why does William visit Cracknell?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How did Cora meet Thomas Taylor, the beggar?

4. What caused the naturalist, Mary Anning, to begin her studies of the natural sciences?

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

6. Whom did Naomi believe to have webbed hands like her own?

7. What irritated Luke while he and Spencer traveled to Colchester via the train?

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

9. What was Spencer, Luke Garrett's closest friend, considered to be by their former classmates?

10. What did Francis insist on doing immediately after the funeral services of Michael Seaborne?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There was a lot of superstition and hysteria surrounding the idea of the Essex Serpent. Write an essay that explains why regular, logical people are found to behave this way.

Essay Topic 2

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 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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 610 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample