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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 content of the letter the governess receives?

2. What does the governess initially think of the childrens' behavior?

3. Who does Flora admit to seeing after the governess returns from her encounter in the hallway?

4. Why does the governess think Flora pretends not to see the presence at the lake?

5. What does Mrs. Grose think about the governess' story about the stranger?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Peter Quint's activities on the evening that the governess senses movement in the halls.

2. Why does the governess feel that she must stay at Bly with Miles after she sends Mrs. Grose and Flora to her employer?

3. Why does Miles say he stole the governess' letter to his uncle, and what does he do with it?

4. Describe Mrs. Grose's opinion about Miss Jessel and Peter Quint when the governess questions her about them.

5. How do the governess, Mrs. Grose, and Flora each react to Miss Jessel's appearance at the lake on the evening that Flora sneaks away after dinner?

6. Describe the scene between Miles and the governess after dinner the day that Mrs. Grose and Flora leave Bly.

7. Describe Peter Quint's death.

8. How does Flora react to the supernatural presence at the lake, and how does the governess believe Flora will react to questioning about the ghosts at Bly?

9. Describe Mrs. Grose's version of why Miles is bad.

10. Describe the scene between the governess and Miss Jessel when the governess returns to Bly after her conversation in the graveyard with Miles.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a strong sense of ambiguity in the governess' discussions with Miles and Flora about the ghosts. Describe the many ambiguous conversations and actions concerning the ghosts throughout "The Turn of the Screw". Why is this not more direct? How would a direct conversation about the ghosts change the story?

Essay Topic 2

Foreshadowing is often used in "The Turn of the Screw". Cite three examples of foreshadowing and explain how it is used to indicate further events.

Essay Topic 3

The governess assumes that Miles and Flora are innocent as soon as she meets them because they are attractive; however, the ghosts of Miss Jessel and Peter Quint are attractive as well. What is the validity of judgment based on appearances? How do the appearances of Peter Quint and Miss Jessel help the governess to judge Miles and Flora more objectively? What is the message of this theme?

(see the answer keys)

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