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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. The story describe Marya's life as aging her, "making her ugly, angular, and awkward, as though she were made of" (8) what?

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

3. What does Marya smell on Hanov as he nears the cart?

4. What does Semyon say to the man who begins swearing at the tavern?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 a brief essay analyzing the theme of happiness and unhappiness in “The Schoolmistress.” Is Marya mostly happy or unhappy? Why? When is she happy? When does her happiness vanish? What characters appear happy in the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 625 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample