View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Henrika is sick, what does Caspar give Ruth and Iris every morning when they come to visit him and the Master?
(a) Warm tea.
(b) Fresh fruit and juice.
(c) Hot chocolate.
(d) Scones.

2. What kind of visitors come to the van den Meers' house after Henrika's funeral?
(a) Beggars who know Mr. Van den Meer has inherited a lot of money.
(b) Tulip investors.
(c) Random people who want to see Clara's portrait.
(d) Potential suitors for Clara.

3. How is Ruth initially described in the novel?
(a) As mentally impaired and hard to control.
(b) As shy and unable/unwilling to speak.
(c) As beautiful and loving.
(d) As conscientious and unattractive.

4. After Rebekka's death, what does Margarethe worry has happened to the household?
(a) That, because Iris can now read and write, she will outsmart her own mother.
(b) That the plague has been introduced.
(c) That all of their money has been stolen.
(d) That Mr. van den Meer will divorce her and leave everyone homeless.

5. What does the town say is the cause of Henrika's health issues?
(a) That she is too wealthy so she is being punished for not sharing her wealth.
(b) That she is cruel so God is treating her cruelly.
(c) That Margarethe is secretly poisoning her.
(d) That something demonic resides in the house at night.

Short Answer Questions

1. Does Iris ever find an imp in the van den Meers' household?

2. Why does Clara become so upset when van den Meer tells Margarethe that the hutsepot she makes for Lent is the best he's ever had?

3. What piece of information does Clara have about the windmill that makes Iris believe her story?

4. What is the financial situation of the van den Meers when the Fishers move in with them?

5. What is kermis?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do tulips symbolize in the beginning of the novel?

2. What revelation does Iris have about her mother during her mother's marriage ceremony?

3. What does the title of Chapter 3, "The Girl of Ashes," refer to?

4. Why does Clara pout about attending the event where her painting is unveiled?

5. How does Heer van den Meer first present Iris to Clara?

6. What lesson does Margarethe want Iris to take away from their discussion about how everyone is trapped in their life by some circumstance?

7. What is Iris's relationship with her mother like in the beginning of the novel?

8. How do the Fishers end up at the van den Meers' house?

9. Why does Iris ask Margarethe specifically to teach her how to cook and prepare a meal?

10. Where does Henrika's wealth come from?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 888 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample