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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. While the family is camping out of doors after they've left Marlott, Alec notices that Tess is not there. He goes in search of her and finds her where?

2. What 'bad omen' occurs just as Angel and Tess are leaving the farm?

3. What advice does Tess receive in response to the letter she has sent asking for advice about whether to tell Angel the truth?

4. When Angel and Liza Lu leave the prison, they go up on a hill above _____.

5. In the last scene of the book, what do Angel and Liza Lu do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Flintcomb Ash described in Chapter 42? Why does the description also fit in with Tess's attitude at this point?

2. At Flintcomb Ash, Tess encounters a number of people from her past. Who?

3. Several individuals are instrumental in changing Angel's attitude towards Tess during their estrangement. Describe what they do, and Angel's reaction to this.

4. In Chapter 50, how does Tess's attitude towards Alec start to change, and why?

5. What action do Marian and Izz take in Chapter 51 to protect the relationship between Tess and Alec, and why?

6. In what way does the last scene, of Angel and Liza Lu walking away hand in hand, echo Mrs. Durbeyfield's advice to Tess when she finds out she is pregnant?

7. What surprise does Angel plan for their honeymoon? What does he hope to prove to Tess by this plan?

8. How does Angel react to Tess's confession about her past?

9. Who turns up in Flintcomb Ash with a message for Tess? What is the message?

10. In Chapter 38 when Tess arrives at her parents' house after having left Angel, what lie does she tell? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Tess discovers that Alec has become a preacher, she doubts that his salvation is authentic. What do you think? Concentrate on Chapters 44 through 47 in answering this question.

Essay Topic 2

When Tess decides to go to Talbothays Dairy to work as a dairymaid, it is clear that she wants to get away from the past. But Hardy says that she is also partially motivated by "the invincible instinct towards self-delight." Discuss what he means by this, and whether you think it applies to Tess. Make sure you use concrete examples from the text to back up what you say.

Essay Topic 3

Tess names her baby Sorrow. What is the significance of this name? And what is implied by the scene in which Tess buries Sorrow in a corner of the churchyard reserved for the 'ungodly.' Is this the point at which Tess loses her religious faith?

(see the answer keys)

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