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. What is Flora wanting to avoid with Mr. Mybug?

2. Who is Adam supposed to meet at the train station?

3. Of what does Mr. Mybug speak constantly?

4. Who is Mrs. Beetle?

5. Who are Graceless, Pointless, Feckless, and Aimless?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Miriam react to Flora's information about birth control and how is that reaction a reversal of roles between her and her mother?

2. What does Aunt Ada Doom keep talking about and what's your "take" on this?

3. Describe Flora's conversation with Reuben about Cold Comfort Farm; do you think Flora is sincere?

4. How does Amos's preaching lend itself well to his becoming a traveling evangelist?

5. What do you think it says about Flora's personality that she thinks Mr. Mybug will undoubtedly fall in love with her?

6. Which reply from the relatives seems most intriguing and why?

7. What is the meaning of the word parody?

8. What is the topic of the book Mr. Mybug is writing and what is Flora's reaction to hearing about it?

9. What at the opening to chapter 5 demonstrates Flora is no "farm gal"?

10. If you were Miriam and had just delivered a baby, how would you feel about being asked to go wash curtains? Do you think this scene could have any other significance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Just as COLD COMFORT FARM is a parody of naturalistic literature, so Mr. "Mybug" (Meyerburg) is a parody of the smug literary writer. Discuss the following:

1. Discuss Mr. "Mybug's" character fully. Is he a likeable character? A sympathetic character? Does he change?

2. How do you think Meyerburg's discussion of sexuality in nature adds to the novel as a parody of naturalism in literature? Discuss specific examples.

3. What do you think of Mr. Meyerburg's thesis about Branwell Bronte? Do you think there is any validity to his assertions? Why or why not? (This may require a little research into the Bronte family).

4. Does Meyerburg's literary aspirations create more or less respect for him as a character? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Upon Flora's arrival at Cold Comfort Farm, she almost immediately takes on the task of "tidying up" some of her Starkadder relatives. Choose one of the following:

1. Discuss how Flora "fixes" Seth and Reuben. Do you think the two men will be happier with the changes in their lives? Why or why not? Would you have chosen the same solutions? Why or why not?

2. Discuss how Flora "fixes" Amos and Judith. Do you think the two will be happier with the changes in their lives? Why or why not? Would you have chosen the same solutions? Why or why not?

3. Discuss how Flora "fixes" Elfine and Aunt Ada Doom. Do you think the two women will be happier with the changes in their lives? Why or why not? Would you have chosen the same solutions? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Wrapping it up: Though COLD COMFORT FARM is a parody of another type of genre, its characters are endearing and memorable and much of what happens to the characters is not entirely in the realm of improbability. Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Discuss the tradition of storytelling and how it is used in this novel.

2. Each person in this novel, and in "real" life has his or her own "story." Choose three characters and briefly tell his or her "story" from a different perspective than that which is shown in the book.

3. Stories can be classified in various ways--"tall tales" are obviously not meant to be believed as having actually occurred. Factual stories supposedly tell something exactly as it truly happened. Many stories are a mixture of fact and fiction. Choose four of the stories in this book and analyze them as to their seeming veracity, their purpose, and how they add to the plot and major themes.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,310 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample