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 Winifred doing when Mildred arrives for a visit?

2. Where do the group go after the speech at the Learned Society?

3. During their outing, who does Mildred and Dora see?

4. Where does Mildred have dinner on a regular basis?

5. How does Mildred feel while in the company of Helena and Everard?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mildred first meet Helena, and why does this embarrass her?

2. Who is Everard Bone?

3. How does Helena react when Everard comments that he will be going away, and what does she do later to contradict this reaction?

4. What does Mildred tell the reader about her childhood?

5. Where does Rocky go with Mildred and Dora and how does Mildred find this encounter?

6. How does Helena feel about her husband's return and why does she feel this way?

7. What do Mildred and Dora learn from a Wren officer on the way home from a school reunion?

8. What does Mildred see on Ash Wednesday that she feels compelled to share with the Napiers?

9. Who is Dora?

10. Why does Mildred leave the Malorys after helping with the curtains?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Mildred's relationship with Everard. What is their relationship based on? Friendship? Romance? What was Mildred's first impression of Everard? What does Everard think of Mildred? Is there any indication that they will move forward with their relationship in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the humor in the novel Excellent Women. What types of humor does Pym employ? What effect does this have on the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the title of the novel. Who are "excellent women"? What are they known for? Who are excellent women in the novel? Is this a derogatory term or a title to wear with pride?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 678 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample