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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. In Chapter 31, what does Belle tell Morgan are her typical hours at the library?

2. In Chapter 19, how old is Belle when she has her first real kiss?

3. In Chapter 29, how many of Mr. Morgan's mistresses are in town for the season?

4. In Chapter 31, how much does Belle remember paying for a group of early Christian Coptic manuscripts?

5. How often does Belle say that her uncle Mozart writes to her in Chapter 30?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Belle walk out on Morgan at the end of Chapter 31?

2. Who is Rita de Acosta Lydig, and why does Belle avoid her?

3. Why is a relationship with Bernard attractive to Belle?

4. What does Belle feel about Anne's threats in Chapter 27?

5. What does Belle know about the Berensons in Chapter 17?

6. In Chapter 26, why is Belle in London?

7. What does Belle find to be the greatest gift London has to offer?

8. How does Bernard respond when Belle tells him she is pregnant?

9. In Chapter 28, what does Genevieve tell Belle to make her realize what she is risking by getting drunk and behaving the way she has since she returned from Europe?

10. Why does Belle want to go to Europe in Chapter 21?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the storyline? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

Essay Topic 2

Blacks experienced discrimination in the early 1900s. How did Blacks experience discrimination in the early 1900s? Why was being Black at that time in America a burden?

Essay Topic 3

Artistic license is the way that an author creates, art, music, or writing based upon her interpretation of life. How do Benedict and Murray use artistic license to create the realistic background of The Personal Librarian? How do they add their own interpretations to the historical record?

(see the answer keys)

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