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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. Marya would stand the entire duration of class if who was present?

2. What does Marya dream of at night?

3. Despite being young and handsome, Hanov is described as showing signs of what?

4. What did Ivan Ionvo do on his road so that nobody could pass?

5. What does Hanov say when Semyon tells him he does not need to ride around in inclement weather?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing Marya’s inner thoughts while riding in the cart. What does she think about? Why? What does this say about Marya and her life?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring the narrative arc in Chekhov ’s "The School Mistress." Using examples from the story, include the following elements of narrative arc: Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

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 675 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample