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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 is the closest major city to Katterijn?

2. Who is Marelena?

3. What family currently owns the land the Samsodien family is claiming?

4. What is Hortensia's former profession?

5. Why does Marion’s granddaughter Lara think she is a racist?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Marion’s relationship with her parents like?

2. Why do Marion and Hortensia argue over the remodel?

3. What does Hortensia cite as her “last remaining comfort” in the world?

4. How does Marion perceive race?

5. Describe the interaction in which Marion is forced to fire Agnes. Why is she being fired? How does each women handle this news?

6. What happens when Hortensia tries to apologize to Marion?

7. What is the Samsodien family claiming?

8. What happens in the construction accident?

9. Why does Beulah Gierdien write a letter to the Katterijn community?

10. Why does Mr. Marx insist that Hortensia meet Esme?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does South Africa’s history of Apartheid impact the plot of The Woman Next Door? In what ways does this history impact the setting? In what ways does it impact the relationships between the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the significance of Beulah Gierdien’s letter and request that she bury her grandmother’s ashes on Hortensia’s property. What history and significance is present here?

Essay Topic 3

How is dialogue essential to the major themes of the novel? What different types of conversations are had and how do they contribute to both the plot and ideas of the book?

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