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. Who is the author of "The Schoolmistress"?

2. How many years has Marya been a schoolmistress?

3. What do some people say about Hanov?

4. What is the only thing Marya has left from her past?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Marya think of the school inspector?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Describe Hanov.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring the theme of isolation in “The Schoolmistress.”

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing the symbolic significance the character’s economic status has on the story. Why is this important and how does it develop the themes of the story? What would be different if Marya were wealthy or if Hanov were not? Use examples from the text to support your viewpoint.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay discussing the setting and time period of “The Schoolmistress.” In what ways does the time period and setting impact your understanding of the story as well as the themes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 605 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample