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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. Why do the town people warm up to Florence in Chapter 2?

2. Who has driven screws into the wall of the library?

3. What does Florence use to dry the tears of the child in the schoolyard?

4. At the beginning of Chapter 5, who tells Florence that one of the Gipping girls will be visiting the shop?

5. Who does Florence visit after learning about Mrs. Gamart's intentions?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Florence intend to use the oyster shed? Why is this an unwise decision?

2. At the beginning of Chapter 3, what meal is Florence preparing for herself?

3. Does Christine take her new job as book shop helper seriously? Give appropriate examples to support your answer.

4. Why is Florence not hosting a grand opening for The Old House Bookshop?

5. Names are sometimes symbolic. How is Hardborough, the town's name, used as a symbol?

6. The heron and the eel are in a struggle for survival in mid-air. How does this struggle relate to Florence Green's inner conflict?

7. Why are the books arranged to the front of the shelves?

8. What does Florence realize at the beginning of Chapter 5?

9. Who is Ivy Welford? How does she interact with Florence?

10. Why is the current book mobile not acceptable to avid readers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A main theme in The Book Shop is change. Which character changes most throughout the story? Which character changes least? Give specific details.

Essay Topic 2

When Christine Gipping and Florence have tea at the shop on a cold September afternoon, Florence begins to feel differently about the child. What are Florence's feelings towards the ten year old previous to the tea? What are her feelings thereafter? For what reason(s) has Florence changed her feelings?

Essay Topic 3

Mr. Brundish falls dead in the street after his visit to Mrs. Gamart. Does his death foreshadow the fate of the Old House? What analogy can be drawn from his death, the death of the Old House, and the death of Hardborough.

(see the answer keys)

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