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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 did Marya collect money from her students to pay for?

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

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

4. What does Hanov call Semyon when they discuss the road conditions?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 examining the cart as a symbol in "The Schoolmistress." In what scenes does the cart seem most important? What is the context? Could the cart be a metaphor for something else? In what ways does the cart move the storyline and develop the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring the title of “The Schoolmistress.” The story was initially published under the title “In the Cart.” Discuss why the author chose each title and why you think the title was changed.

(see the answer keys)

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