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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. In "A Warning to the Curious," who does Mr. Paxton claim is following him?

2. What is described as being a parable, in "Mr. Humphrey's Inheritance"?

3. Why did it take John Haynes a long time to obtain his job?

4. What makes the narrator nervous, in "A Vignette"?

5. What happens to the man, in "A Neighbour's Landmark," when he enters the forest?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Miss Denton use the diary, in the story "The Diary of Mr. Poynter"?

2. Who is Mr. Poschwitz, in the story "The Uncommon Prayer-Book"?

3. What does the narrator learn about the wood carvings, at the end of "The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral"?

4. What does the old man Mr. Davidson meets tell him about, in "The Uncommon Prayer-Book"?

5. What is odd about the wood carvings in John Haynes room, in the story "The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral"?

6. What does Mr. Thomson find in the strange room, in the story "Rats"?

7. Who is Mr. Denton haunted by in "The Diary of Mr. Poynter," and what does he learn about that person?

8. Why does Mr. Lake go to the cathedral, and who does he stay with in "An Episode of Cathedral History"? Why is this person important to the tale?

9. What happens when Mr. Davidson returns to the church on St. Mark's day?

10. Why is Mr. Karswell, one of the main characters in "Casting the Runes," a vicious man?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When considering James's life, where do you believe he found the inspiration for his book? What does this book cause you to think about the author's life? How did James change the genre of horror and suspense writing?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the character of Dennistoun. Why does James choose to use this character in another story? What is the benefit of this? What is the significance of Dennistoun not believing in the supernatural?

Essay Topic 3

Identify the plot and subplot, in "An Episode of Cathedral History." Be sure to provide the definitions for both terms in your answer. How does James effectively keep the reader engaged without confusing them?

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This section contains 702 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample