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. How often did Offred return to Nick’s, as described in Chapter 14?

2. What does the professor cite as a precursor to Gilead?

3. Who does Serena Joy suggest that Offred sleep with?

4. What does Ofglen tell Offred in Chapter 12?

5. What is Serena Joy’s hobby?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the rumor about how Janine got pregnant?

2. Why does Serena Joy think that Offred ‘might as well’ sleep with Nick?

3. In Chapter 9, what is new about the way Offred reads the message on her wall?

4. Why is Ofglen’s question about Soul Scrolls subversive?

5. What form do Offred's prayers take in Chapter 11?

6. What are Offred's plans in Chapter 9?

7. How does the professor describe Nick’s role?

8. What happened to Luke, according to the professor?

9. Why does Offred think about her age and height in Chapter 9?

10. What is the condition that Nick sets forth for Offred in Chapter 13?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title of the book, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is deceptively simple. What are the multiple meanings of this title? Why might Gilead have chosen the word “Handmaid” to describe the role of these women, rather than something else?

Essay Topic 2

Though the novel focuses on Handmaids, other characters, in other roles, also permeate the book. Describe one role in-depth. What are some of the advantages of this role? Disadvantages?

Essay Topic 3

Gilead might seem to be a cold and terrifying society at first glance. Explore the basis of this society. What came before, and what were the factors that caused Gilead to arise? How has it organized itself, and for what reasons?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 454 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample