View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who are the children in relation to the governess' employer?

2. In Chapter 3, who does the governess pick up in the carriage?

3. Who does the governess tell about Miles' expulsion?

4. Why does Flora say she arranged her bed to appear that she was still in it while the governess was in the hallway?

5. When the governess hears noise in the hallway, what does the person that she finds do after seeing the governess?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the governess' thoughts on the way to church.

2. Why doesn't the governess post the children's letters to their uncle?

3. What are Miles' reasons for wanting to return to school?

4. Describe the problem that the governess has to deal with concerning Miles.

5. How does Flora react when the governess accuses her of seeing Miss Jessel at the lake on the evening that Flora sneaks away after dinner?

6. Describe the governess' initial opinion of Bly.

7. What does Mrs. Grose think about Miles and Flora's relationships with the ghosts?

8. How do the children and Mrs. Grose react to the governess' absence from church?

9. Why does the governess tell Miles she stayed at Bly after sending Mrs. Grose and Flora to her employer?

10. Describe Peter Quint's activities on the evening that the governess senses movement in the halls.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The governess assumes that Miles and Flora are innocent as soon as she meets them because they are attractive; however, the ghosts of Miss Jessel and Peter Quint are attractive as well. What is the validity of judgment based on appearances? How do the appearances of Peter Quint and Miss Jessel help the governess to judge Miles and Flora more objectively? What is the message of this theme?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the employer's demand that the governess not contact him. Why does he do this? Why does the governess adhere so strictly to this demand? How does it affect the governess' actions and decisions? How would "The Turn of the Screw" be altered if the employer did not give this mandate?

Essay Topic 3

There is a strong sense of ambiguity in the governess' discussions with Miles and Flora about the ghosts. Describe the many ambiguous conversations and actions concerning the ghosts throughout "The Turn of the Screw". Why is this not more direct? How would a direct conversation about the ghosts change the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 820 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample