View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 32, who does the Bishop decide to give the wardenship to?

2. What does the author compare the end of a novel to?

3. Who supports Mr. Slope in his quest for the deanery?

4. What does Mr. Slope want to do before word gets out about the Bishop's appointment of wardenship?

5. Who thinks Mr. Arabin is disgracing himself by visiting the signora?

Short Essay Questions

1. What role does Dr. Harding play in helping Mr. Arabin become Dean?

2. What does Eleanor tell her father after the Thorne's party?

3. What makes the gathering at the Thorne estate in Chapter 33 complicated for Eleanor?

4. How does Mrs. Proudie try to humiliate Mr. Slope in Chapter 51?

5. What factors make Mr. Arabin an agreeable candidate for Eleanor according to Dr. Harding?

6. In Chapter 45, why do Bertie and his father argue and what is the result?

7. How does Eleanor respond when Mr. Slope follows her at the Thorne's party?

8. How does the wardenship appointment affect Dr. Gwynne?

9. Why does Miss Thorne feel Eleanor would be a good wife for Mr. Arabin?

10. What does Mr. Slope do in Chapter 32 to try to become Dean of Barchester Cathedral?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mr. Slope fought for power throughout "Barchester Towers". Follow the development of Mr. Slope and describe each of his attempts to gain power. How does Mr. Slope try to become more powerful? How does he respond to power? What is symbolic about Mr. Slope's attempts to gain power? How does his end in this novel relate to his behavior?

Essay Topic 2

At the end of "Barchester Towers" it appears that all the characters have happy endings. What is significant about the ending of this novel? How does this close the conflict between the conservative and liberal factions of the church? What has been resolved in regards to the church vs. the government? How is it possible for all the characters to have happy endings?

Essay Topic 3

"Barchester Towers" is considered to be written in the style of realism. Describe this movement of literature and what makes this novel a good example of realism. What makes the novel not fit into the description of realism?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 827 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample