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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 does the driver tell Marya periodically when the cart is not riding very smoothly due to road or weather conditions?

2. What does Marya dream of at night?

3. What does the tavern Semyon and Marya stop at smell like?

4. What does the man at the tavern say after saying he knows who Marya is?

5. Why do people like Marya have little time to think of their work?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring the title of “The Schoolmistress.” The story was initially published under the title “In the Cart.” Discuss why the author chose each title and why you think the title was changed.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing narrative voice in “The Schoolmistress.” Include thoughts on how the narrative voice of the story is effective in conveying the story’s themes.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing Chekhov's commentary on aging in "The Schoolmistress" How is Marya and Hanov's aging discussed in the story? How does it affect the narrative? Use textual evidence to explain your analysis.

(see the answer keys)

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