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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. Antonio says that his real family lives in what city?

2. What is Catherine's state of mind as she waits for Ralph to get better?

3. Which of the following does Ralph NOT speak of in his delirious state?

4. Who are the Pinkerton agents with whom Catherine meets?

5. Why does Ralph decide to continue with plans to marry Catherine?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mrs. Larsen show Catherine that she will not stand by and let anyone else hurt Truitt?

2. Why is the author's description of the weather so critical to the book?

3. What is the one expectation that Truitt has of Catherine by sending her to St. Louis?

4. How does Catherine spend her time in St. Louis?

5. What do the secret garden and the Italian house symbolize?

6. How does Catherine maintain a low profile in St. Louis even though she is excited by being in the city?

7. What is the significance of Truitt's mother stabbing him with a needle and then the resulting scar that reminds him of the act?

8. In what way does Ralph and Catherine's relationship begin with a lie?

9. What is the significance of the canary that Catherine purchases?

10. What are Truitt's thoughts about Antonio even though he and the boy hated each other years ago?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of evil. Identify at least two themes about evil in the book. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

Essay Topic 2

How does Catherine compare to the wife Truitt thought he was getting as a mail order bride? Is he happy that Catherine turned out to be who she was or does Ralph still wish for the meek, ordinary woman in the photograph?

Essay Topic 3

Greed takes on a human persona in this story especially surrounding the characters of Catherine and Antonio. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

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