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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. Who was Isolda?

2. Why does Katherine decide to ride her horse to visit the Duchess of Lancaster?

3. How does Nirac describe Costanza's appearance?

4. Nirac's feelings toward Katherine go from loyalty to hatred. Resigned that he'll never be greatly admired by John, what does he do?

5. The Earl of March envies John, but thinks he has one strength and advantage that John does not:

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Philippa, Katherine's older sister, say in a letter that upsets Katherine deeply?

2. Alice Perrers experiences the House of Commons's most viral attack. Of what do they accuse her?

3. Despite his love for Katherine, who is the Duke of Lancaster hoping to marry, and why?

4. Who helps Katherine deliver her baby daughter, and what happens right after the umbilical cord is cut?

5. At first, the atmosphere surrounding Blanches' funeral and burial is very solemn, very sad. But it turns jovial and circus-like during the supper at court. What happens?

6. Describe Bolingbroke. How is it different from Kettlethorpe?

7. Katherine's sister Philippa is engaged to the writer Geoffrey Chaucer and her future seems set. While Philippa is concerned about her younger sister's welfare, she's also jealous of her. Why?

8. Describe Katherine's journey on the ship to Bordeaux.

9. Costanza tells John that she had a dream. What did she dream that sets this chapter into motion?

10. Was it foolish of Katherine to refuse an escort back to Kettlethorpe? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are numerous ironic moments and events in this story, but by far, one of the most ironic is the friendship that develops between Katherine and Blanche, the Duchess of Lancaster. Explain how this friendship starts, how the two women get along, and why in the end it is deeply ironic.

Essay Topic 2

What are your thoughts on King Richard? Although he's very young, is he cleverer than he leads others to think? In the end, from what you know after reading this story, does he get what he deserves? Or did he end up being another victim in the royal infighting?

Essay Topic 3

When the duke leaves the church where he attended a commemorative mass for Blanche, he encounters a mob that accuses him of being the son of a Flemish butcher and not the king's son. Why is this accusation so divisive? Why must the duke fight so hard to prove this accusation wrong?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 948 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample