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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 Marya drink at the tavern where she and Semyon stop?

2. What does the man at the tavern say after saying he knows who Marya is?

3. Whose job is it to light the stove on cold days at Marya's school?

4. What does Marya think it would be terrible for her to do?

5. Why is it hard for the cart to get down the road around the time they meet Hanov?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 narrative voice in “The Schoolmistress.” Include thoughts on how the narrative voice of the story is effective in conveying the story’s themes.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 635 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample