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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. Who tells Cora the Essex Serpent was found?

2. What is on the piece of paper Naomi slips to Joanna in the classroom?

3. What does Joanna learn while staying with the Ambroses?

4. What does Martha accuse Cora of wanting?

5. Who does Frankie realize he has patience for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is raising Stella's children while she is ill?

2. What kind of books did Cora request Luke bring for Francis?

3. What broke out of the stomach of the dead fish as Will and Mr. Banks watched?

4. What is Cora's prefered interaction with William Ransome?

5. What was the cause of the pervasive and foul smell in Aldwinter?

6. Why does Charles believe in Darwinism?

7. Why does Frankie not immediately enter Stella's room when he visits her with Cora?

8. What is causing Joanna's disdain for Naomi?

9. What does Charles Ambrose agree fully with when walking the streets of the London housing projects?

10. What caused Cora's harsh response to Luke Garrett's love declaration?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Luke Garret's hand was cut open. Discuss Luke's emotional state due to the loss of function in his hand and loss of his ability to perform surgery. How does Cora's rebuke effect him and his emotional state?

Essay Topic 3

Consumption, or tuberculosis, was a lung disease that eventually caused death. The disease is slow moving and often heightens a persons sensitivities—Stella's inexplicable draw to the color blue is an example. Discuss why the author chose to have Stella suffer from consumption, while her husband William and her friend Cor were becoming more intimately known to each other.

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This section contains 615 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample