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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. Who remains constantly by Margaret's side after she learns her first-born son has died?

2. What has happened to the woman James first fell in love with?

3. What does Margaret say is the main thing influencing her desire to have James stop with his affairs?

4. Who is James?

5. Why is John Stuart referred to as "Albany"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does James think he has a curse on him that prevents him from having healthy children with Margaret?

2. Why does James think it's a perfectly fine idea to bring his illegitimate children to the castle to live?

3. Why does the political establishment not think Margaret is able to rule until young James comes of age?

4. In "The Curse of Sauchieburn," why does Margaret try to intervene with James when several Scottish men are arrested in England?

5. What reasons does Margaret convey in a letter as to why Henry should not attack Scotland shortly after James dies in battle?

6. How does Margaret respond to Henry when they are both young?

7. What does Lord Drummond request of Angus in regard to his love life?

8. What does James do after the birth of his first child, a son, by Margaret?

9. Why does Albany agree to go to Scotland when the King of France requests it?

10. What does Margaret have James do for Albany upon his arrival to Scotland?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the character of Margaret from the beginning of "The Thistle and the Rose" with the character of Margaret at the conclusion of "The Thistle and the Rose." How is she the same? How is she different? What were the major factors that changed her as a character, and what kept her the same?

Essay Topic 2

The poisoning of Margaret at Stobhall remains vague throughout the story. Write an argument discussing who appears to be behind the poisoning and what Plaidy does or conveys in the text to support this argument.

Essay Topic 3

Parents, such as Henry's and Margaret's and even James's, are presented as complicated characters in "The Thistle and the Rose." Discuss how parents are portrayed in "The Thistle and the Rose" as well as what message Plaidy is trying to convey to the reader about the power and influence of parents over the main characters in the text.

(see the answer keys)

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