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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. Why is Penelope depressed with her volunteer duties?

2. Who does Nancy think is the only person who ever understood her?

3. How does Olivia treat her mother?

4. Who is Ambrose's mother?

5. How valuable are Lawrence Stern's sketches?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the major differences between Olivia and Nancy?

2. Who is Doris Potter and how does she enter into the lives of Penelope's family?

3. How is Olivia's view of the Lawrence Stern paintings different from how Olivia views them?

4. How does the author reveal which one of Penelope's children is closest to her?

5. What is the story of Penelope's parents' relationship?

6. What is the flashback Penelope has to when she was nineteen?

7. What is the irony of Olivia's life as opposed to those of her brother and sister?

8. What is Nancy's relationship with Penelope?

9. What prompts Penelope to volunteer during the war?

10. How does the author use foreshadowing by introducing Antonia into Olivia and Penelope's lives?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a character study of Nancy. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Nancy?

Essay Topic 2

Create a character study of Penelope. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Penelope?

Essay Topic 3

Pilcher uses several instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each an instance of foreshadowing.

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This section contains 896 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample