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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. What season has not fully ended in "The Schoolmistress"?

2. What does Marya recall Hanov's exam papers smelling like the year before?

3. Where does Marya feel Hanov should move to rather than live in such a "God-forsaken, dreary place" (6)?

4. What does the principal tell Marya when she tries to discuss her grievances about the watchman?

5. Who does Marya's driver say he recently heard was killed in Moscow?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the only thing Marya keeps from her past?

2. What do readers learn of Marya's past at the start of "The Schoolmistress"?

3. What news from Moscow does Semyon tell Marya he heard at Ivan Ionov's tavern?

4. What does Marya think of Hanov as their cart follows his?

5. Which of Marya's coworkers does she try to get dismissed and what comes of it?

6. Describe Hanov.

7. What did Hanov do at Marya's school the year before the story takes place?

8. What does Marya Vassilyevna do for work? How long has she had the occupation? Where is she going at the start of "The Schoolmistress"?

9. What does Marya think of on the cart at the start of "The Schoolmistress"?

10. What does Marya think of the school inspector?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring the title of “The Schoolmistress.” The story was initially published under the title “In the Cart.” Discuss why the author chose each title and why you think the title was changed.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay examining the ending of “The Schoolmistress.” How did the ending fit into the storyline? Do you think the ending was effective? What theme might the ending represent? What might the author have done differently?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the author of “The Schoolmistress.” Who is he? What else has he written? How is “The Schoolmistress” similar or different from his previous works?

(see the answer keys)

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