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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 is the name of the dog Vivian tells the stable manager she used to have?

2. Where does the Queen's private secretary work most of the time?

3. What does the stable manager tell Vivian that Malcolm says must be true, because he would not lie about it?

4. What does Vivian find it most difficult to adjust to in England on her first day there?

5. In Chapter 3, what means of communication does Malcolm use to invite Vivian to go to the stables?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 4, why does Malcolm tell Vivian he learned to ride horses as an adult?

2. In Chapter 4, what do the royal stables mean to Vivian as she thinks about her impending visit there?

3. How does it come to pass that Malcolm Hudson gives Vivian a tour of Sandringham Estate?

4. How does Vivian's daughter Maddie come to work for the Duchess in Chapter 1?

5. In Chapter 1, what does Vivian briefly worry about before she goes down to the kitchen for breakfast on her first day at Sycamore Cottage?

6. In Chapter 4, why is Vivian reluctant to wear a hat despite the cold when she is out with Malcolm?

7. In Chapter 1, why are there often fires in the bedrooms at Sycamore Cottage, and what happened when the Duchess tried to use electric space heaters?

8. In Chapter 5, what does Malcolm do on the way back to Sandringham Estate with Vivian that takes her off-guard at first?

9. In Chapter 5, what has frustrated Vivian about her recent dates with men?

10. In Chapter 4, what forward question does Vivian ask Malcolm about his personal life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think both Vivian and Malcolm continue their tradition of letter and postcard-writing in the last chapters of the book, after Vivian has returned to America, rather than calling, texting, or emailing? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How would you describe the early interactions between Vivian and Malcolm, and how do Vivian's and Malcolm's communications with each other change after their first kiss in Chapter Five? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, Guillory makes a point of highlighting how different characters respond to Vivian upon first meeting her; she seems to put most people at ease. Write an essay discussing how and why Guillory highlights Vivian's appeal to other characters in the book, and explore how Guillory's descriptions of Vivian's interactions with other people contributes to the development and exposition of Vivian's character.

(see the answer keys)

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