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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. What event does Harriet first attend when she visits Shrewsbury College?

2. Whom does Harriet offer to help with proof sheets?

3. How were the notes written?

4. Who approaches Peter while he is reading a letter from Harriet?

5. Who was the last person to handle Miss Lydgate's manuscript?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Miss Martin, Dean at Shrewsbury College, write a letter to Harriet in Chapter 4?

2. Does Harriet learn anything about the poltergeist from the night when the fuses were removed?

3. In the meeting that takes place during Chapter 5, why is it concluded that the culprit must be a resident at Oxford?

4. Why is Sunday the best part of a Gaudy?

5. Harriet drives to Oxford to attend the opening of the new library and to investigate which incidents?

6. What happens while the lights are out at Shrewsbury in Chapter 9?

7. Why does Harriet tell Saint-George about the poltergeist in Chapter 10?

8. What does Harriet find amusing about the invitation to Farringdon's party?

9. What happens to Jukes in Chapter 9?

10. Why does the hanging figure incident clear Miss Cattermole's name?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Detective fiction usually involves a central character who solves the mystery. In the case of Gaudy Night, however, it is not Harriet but Peter who solves the mystery. Which one do you think is the main character of the book?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the three gifts that Peter has given Harriet. Compare the first two. What is significant about the third? How does Harriet react to each one?

Essay Topic 3

Both Pomfret and Peter propose to Harriet. Compare these two men in regard to the following areas: their personalities, their ages, their interactions with Harriet, and the success of their proposals.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 739 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample