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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 does the driver tell Marya periodically when the cart is not riding very smoothly due to road or weather conditions?

2. What are the wagons outside the tavern where Semyon stops filled with?

3. What did Marya collect money from her students to pay for?

4. What does Marya imagine she would do for Hanov if she was his sister or wife?

5. What does Marya drink at the tavern where she and Semyon stop?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Semyon hears a man swearing at the tavern?

2. What does Marya collect money from her students to pay for?

3. What do Hanov and Semyon discuss after riding through a very wet road?

4. What does Marya think about when she smells alcohol on Hanov as they ride their carts?

5. Where do Marya and Semyon go when they stop at Nishneye Gorodistche and how is it described before they enter?

6. What are three of the obstacles Semyon encounters on their journey despite trying to find the "driest and shortest way" (9)?

7. Describe what Marya would do in her class on days the Zemstvo or school guardian were present?

8. How is Marya's school described on cold, winter mornings?

9. How does Marya feel about her role as schoolmistress?

10. How is the inside of the tavern in Nizhneye Gorodistche described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Write an essay analyzing Chekhov's commentary on aging in "The Schoolmistress" How is Marya and Hanov's aging discussed in the story? How does it affect the narrative? Use textual evidence to explain your analysis.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 647 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample