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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 does Merricat keep at her secret hiding spot?

2. Why does Merricat go outside in Chapter 4?

3. Besides the library, where did Mary Katherine usually stop when she went to the village?

4. What kind of day does Merricat say it will be in Chapter 5?

5. What does Merricat consider replacing her father's book in the tree with?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Constance consider wearing in Chapter 5? What does this tell us about her?

2. What does Mary Katherine wonder about the library books in Chapter 1?

3. Describe the Blackwoods' collection of preserves.

4. Which of Merricat's safeguards does she find has fallen in Chapter 4?

5. Who are Julian and Jonas?

6. How does Charles try to make conversation with Merricat in Chapter 5?

7. How did many members of the Blackwoods family die?

8. What kinds of things does Merricat say the people who would come to her house looking for Constance after the murders would do?

9. What does Merricat come up with to keep the change away?

10. What does Merricat recite after Charles offers carry out her errands in the village?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Jackson's use of irony. What are some examples of irony in the novel? How do these examples affect the reader's experience?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Jackson's use of foreshadowing. What are some examples of foreshadowing in the novel? Why does Jackson use foreshadowing?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and interpret the information given about the murders? How might they have taken place and why? In what manner does Jackson share the information about the murders? Is the identity of the murderer a surprise?

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This section contains 839 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample