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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 often happened to people who chose to be schoolmistresses out of passion for the work?

2. What is another obstacle Semyon encounters along the road home?

3. What does Marya think mostly of in regards to her job?

4. What does Marya think it would be terrible for her to do?

5. What does Marya smell on Hanov as he nears the cart?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Marya and Semyon go when they stop at Nishneye Gorodistche and how is it described before they enter?

2. How is the inside of the tavern in Nizhneye Gorodistche described?

3. What does Marya think about when she smells alcohol on Hanov as they ride their carts?

4. How is Marya's school described on cold, winter mornings?

5. Describe what Marya would do in her class on days the Zemstvo or school guardian were present?

6. What are three of the obstacles Semyon encounters on their journey despite trying to find the "driest and shortest way" (9)?

7. How does Marya feel about her role as schoolmistress?

8. What happens when Semyon hears a man swearing at the tavern?

9. What does Marya collect money from her students to pay for?

10. What do Hanov and Semyon discuss after riding through a very wet road?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing Marya’s inner thoughts while riding in the cart. What does she think about? Why? What does this say about Marya and her life?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing the symbolic significance the character’s economic status has on the story. Why is this important and how does it develop the themes of the story? What would be different if Marya were wealthy or if Hanov were not? Use examples from the text to support your viewpoint.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the author of “The Schoolmistress.” Who is he? What else has he written? How is “The Schoolmistress” similar or different from his previous works?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 690 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample