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 does Mrs. Shandy question while she and her husband are conceiving Tristram?

2. Where is Mrs. Shandy forced to deliver her child?

3. When the midwife falls, what does Dr. Slop offer to examine?

4. Who is sent to fetch Dr. Slop?

5. What animal does Toby gently catch and release when Tristram is ten?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Yorick assist the midwife?

2. With what hobby is Toby Shandy obsessed?

3. What distracts Walter Shandy from his ire at the end of Volume 4?

4. Describe Walter Shandy.

5. What concerns does Walter Shandy have about Dr. Slop's medical abilities?

6. Why does Tristram's mother give birth in the country?

7. Why is Dr. Slop offended by the midwife's request to attend the birthing?

8. How is Phutatoruis injured in Volume 4?

9. What misunderstanding does Toby have about bridges in Volume 3?

10. Describe Dr. Slop.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare Toby and Walter Shandy's characters. How are these characters foils? How does each character's personality traits enhance the other's character? What philosophies bind or divide them?

Essay Topic 2

How is time used in the novel? What inconsistencies are evident in Tristram's perception of time? What explanation does Tristram give for his perception of time and how does this explanation relate to Sterne's theme of individuality?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the perception Sterne's characters have about responsibility. Which characters take responsibility for their actions and which are always denying or ignoring their responsibilities? What point might Sterne be making about responsibility and compassion?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,002 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample