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. Which best describes the social views and character of Florence Dowell's family?

2. What is the name of the character who claims to have seen Florence Dowell leaving Jimmy's room at five in the morning?

3. In the first chapter, it's revealed that which of these two characters are having an affair?

4. On the night of Florence Dowell's death, which two characters attend a concert?

5. In the first chapter, the narrator describes the story as what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is it wise for John Dowell to marry Florence?

2. Why does John Dowell enjoy the train ride to the castle?

3. Describe the point of view from which The Good Soldier is written.

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

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

6. Describe Nancy Rufford's relationship with Captain Edward Ashburnham.

7. Why does Florence Dowell commit suicide?

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

9. After reflecting upon the events of his life, how does John Dowell feel about marriage?

10. Who has the authority in the Ashburnham marriage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is Edward Ashburnham a sympathetic character or is he entirely a villain? If Edward is indeed sympathetic, in what instances can the reader view him sympathetically?

Essay Topic 2

In Part 1, Chapter 2, John tells a folktale about a wife, known as a she-wolf, who betrays her husband for a poet who pretends to be an emperor. How does this folktale relate to John's story? How does the folktale parallel John's marriage? Does Florence have any she-wolf qualities? How might Edward be like the poet in the folktale?

Essay Topic 3

What is Leonora Ashburnham's motivation for keeping John Dowell in the dark about his wife's affair with Edward Ashburnham?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 966 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample