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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Both Florence Dowell and Captain Edward Ashburnham suffer from which disease?
(a) Cancer.
(b) Heart disease.
(c) Scurvy.
(d) Mental illness.

2. In the first chapter, the narrator describes the story as what?
(a) The saddest story he has ever heard.
(b) The most romantic story he has ever heard.
(c) The most exciting story he has ever heard.
(d) The most scandalous story he has ever heard.

3. What dream must Florence Dowell give up in order to divorce her husband and be with Captain Edward Ashburnham?
(a) Her dream of becoming a world-class tennis player.
(b) Her dream of entering British country society.
(c) Her dream of living in Paris.
(d) Her dream of owning her own racetrack.

4. What does Captain Edward Ashburnham do while he is in Monte Carlo?
(a) He gambled away an enormous amount of money.
(b) He purchased an estate.
(c) He sought medical treatment.
(d) He had an affair with the daughter of an admiral.

5. Who, according to Leonora Ashburnham, has the upper hand in the Dowell's marriage?
(a) She believes John and Flourence Dowell behave as equals in their marriage.
(b) Captain Edward Ashburnham.
(c) Florence Dowell.
(d) John Dowell.

Short Answer Questions

1. When John Dowell first meets Captain Edward Ashburnham, John finds Edward to be what?

2. Which best describes Captain Edward Ashburnham's reputation?

3. What is the name of the castle visited by the Ashburnhams and the Dowells?

4. Whenever Florence Dowell hears that a woman is visiting the Ashburnhams in England, what does she do?

5. In Chapter 5 it's revealed that Captain Edward Ashburnham had resigned from his military commission. For what reason does he resign?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the personalities of Florence Dowell and Leonora Ashburnham differ?

2. In Part 1, Chapter 2, John Dowell recites a folktale about a she-wolf who betrays her husband for a poet. Why is John's telling of the folktale significant?

3. Who is responsible for Maisie Maidan's death?

4. Who has the authority in the Ashburnham marriage?

5. Do you think Captain Edward Ashburnham's romantic feelings for Nancy Rufford are morally reprehensible?

6. According to John Dowell's point of view, what qualities define American culture?

7. Why does John Dowell laugh at Leonora Ashburnham when she says she can learn to "accept the situation" between Florence Dowell and Captain Edward Ashburnham?

8. According to John Dowell, why does Florence never tell John the truth about her sexual history?

9. Why does Florence Dowell commit suicide?

10. Explain the motivations of each character (Florence Dowell, John Dowell, Leonora Ashburnham, and Captain Edward Ashburnham) for taking the trip to the castle.

(see the answer keys)

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