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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 is Grommet?

2. In her dream in Chapter 6, who calls Alyce by her name?

3. What does Alyce tell Purr about at the end of Chapter 8?

4. What does Gilbert Gray-Head teach Alyce in Chapter 7?

5. How many days pass before Beetle sees the cat alive and well again in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Beetle able to enjoy the fair so much in Chapter 5?

2. How is the miller punished for stealing from his customers in Chapter 7?

3. Who does a man mistake Beetle for at the fair? What amazes Beetle about this?

4. In Chapter 8, What does Will instruct Alyce to do to help the cow deliver? Why is Will especially pleased when the delivery is over?

5. What does Beetle do when the miller drags her to deliver his wife's baby?

6. What does Beetle find the village boys doing when she goes to feed the cat in Chapter 2?

7. After helping Will deliver the calves, what changes for Alyce in Chapter 8?

8. What does Beetle enjoy watching in Chapter 2?

9. How has Jane earned her position as midwife to the village?

10. What accident does Jane have in Chapter 5? What does she make Beetle do as a result?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Karen Cushman, the author of the novel. What other works has she received recognition for? Do the other works have similar themes? Does she always write in the same genre?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and interpret the character Edward. What are his defining character traits? Describe his relationship with Alyce. How does Alyce's friendship with Edward benefit her? What does she learn from him? What is the significance of the cook's comment about their physical appearance?

Essay Topic 3

What is the genre of the novel? What are elements commonly found in this type of novel? What are some other examples of works of this genre? What similarities do these works share with the novel "The Midwife's Apprentice"?

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