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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. How old does Nellie make it clear to Frank she is when they meet?

2. Since Lisa's haircut, Frank what?.

3. As Frank and the children await in the dining room on Lisa's first day, how does she arrive?

4. How frequently does Frank wire Charlie about Nellie?

5. Whose reputation likely accounts for a portion of Reidka's success?

Short Essay Questions

1. Although born and raised in Moscow, where does Frank receive his adult education?

2. What is Rusalochka's like?

3. In the first paragraph of Chapter 1, what situation occurs, the resolution of which is the main thrust of the tale?

4. What noticeable change is there in Nellie's attitude once she arrives in Moscow?

5. What are some ways Penelope Fitzgerald shows Frank knows how to deal with Russians?

6. How does Penelope Fitzgerald set the stage for Lisa's and Dolly's mysterious encounter in the woods surrounding the Reid dacha?

7. What does Frank do to prevent the break-in to Reid Press from escalating into a major security matter?

8. What does the reader learn of Frank's background in the opening chapter?

9. What takes place at four in the afternoon, the very first day Bernov arrives for work?

10. What is an interesting contrast between Frank Reid and Selwyn Crane?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Between Chapters 9 and 10, the readers get a good view of the wife of the English chaplain. How does the author expose Mrs. Graham's interest in the matters of everyone within Moscow's English community? In what way does she reflect Mrs. Graham's level of honesty with Frank in their discussion about Miss Kinsman and her recommending her for the possible position as the Reid governess?

Essay Topic 2

Before Lisa has even arrived for her first day of employment at the Reid home Kuriatin imparts what Frank believes is a comment on his hiring her. What is it that Kuriatin relates, and how does Frank regard it? What is it that Tvyordov does that is similar? How does Frank view what Tvyordov does? What concerns Frank?

Essay Topic 3

Critical in Chapter 12 are the feelings Frank has toward Lisa. How does Penelope Fitzgerald accomplish revealing the state Frank finds himself in? What is the capability Frank has in recognizing and dealing with his instinctive emotions?

(see the answer keys)

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