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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. Who is the focus of the event taking place within the novel's prologue?
(a) Johannes.
(b) Marin.
(c) Nella and Johannes.
(d) Cornelia.

2. Who is heard giggling in the shadows during Marin and Nella's first meeting?
(a) Frans.
(b) Cornelia.
(c) Johannes.
(d) Otto.

3. What is the main difference Nella sees between the maids back in Assendelft and Cornelia?
(a) Cornelia is paid three times what the maids in Assendelft are paid.
(b) Cornelia behaves with much more freedom and familiarity.
(c) Cornelia is treated more like a member of the family than the maids in Assendelft are.
(d) Cornelia behaves with much more decorum and politeness.

4. How does Nella go about contacting the miniaturist to request an order?
(a) She slips a letter under the miniaturist's door.
(b) She goes and meets with the miniaturist in person at his shop.
(c) She sends Cornelia to deliver a verbal message to the miniaturist.
(d) She sends Otto to deliver a verbal message to the miniaturist.

5. How many younger siblings does Nella have, and what gender(s) are her siblings?
(a) She has one younger brother and one younger sister.
(b) She has three younger sisters.
(c) She has one younger brother.
(d) She has two younger brothers and a younger sister.

Short Answer Questions

1. What items cover the walls of Johannes's study?

2. When Marin says that the Brandts had sent their second best barge after Nella, whom does she say is using the family's best barge?

3. How does Nella locate the miniaturist who becomes a major and enigmatic part of the narrative?

4. What were Johannes and Frans both doing when they first met?

5. What is NOT a characteristic named by Nella when she describes the mysterious woman staring at her from nearby the miniaturist's door?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Nella's expectations of Marin's reaction differ from Marin's real reaction when Nella tells her about Johannes's homosexuality?

2. For what reason does Nella decide to visit Johannes at his work?

3. What is the first disagreement between Nella and Marin, and who wins it?

4. Describe Marin's character.

5. What does Nella mean when she opines that "home is nowhere" (114) for her now?

6. What is Nella's marital status when she first arrives at the Brandt home?

7. What are the circumstances of Nella's arrival at the Brandt house that are troubling to her?

8. What is Otto's history?

9. What is Johannes's reply when Nella asks him whether they are rich?

10. What is the significance of Nella's lute performance during the Meermans' visit?

(see the answer keys)

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