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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Clara yell at Nicolaes van Stolk as she departs her house en route to the ball?
(a) "It is the crow."
(b) "Catch me if you can."
(c) "I will never love you."
(d) "Wait for me, dear friend, until I return again."

2. What signal does Marie de Medici give to the prince to tell him he should move on to other ladies while meeting everyone?
(a) A poke in the side.
(b) A kick under the table.
(c) A slight cough.
(d) A little handwritten note.

3. What does Clara say she'd rather do than marry van Stolk?
(a) Remain a housemaid.
(b) Run away to another town.
(c) Kill herself.
(d) Become a nun.

4. How do Ruth and Iris get to the ball?
(a) Caspar lends them a horse.
(b) They have to walk.
(c) In a private carriage.
(d) They share a bicycle.

5. Who took over the Master's studio when he passed away?
(a) Clara.
(b) The Queen of the Hairy-Chinned Gypsies.
(c) Iris.
(d) Caspar.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Clara confess, by her father's bedside, about why she felt such a connection with Ruth?

2. What ends up happening to the tulip trade in the novel?

3. Who was Jack Fisher?

4. How many children does Clara end up having?

5. Why does Margarethe tell Iris that she is better off being ugly?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ruth have to say about beauty in the Epilogue?

2. How does Margarethe react when Iris catches her seemingly trying to burn Young Woman with Tulips at the ball?

3. What reasoning does Clara use in explaining to Iris why her beauty is actually a curse?

4. What does Margarethe's decreasing vision symbolize?

5. What skill does Clara and Iris count on Caspar using when he goes in search of a dress for Iris for the big ball?

6. During their argument at the ball, how do Iris and the Master call a truce during their argument?

7. Why is Margarethe in such shock when Ruth speaks the word "Ashgirl" when referring to Clara?

8. What are two examples of juxtapositioned themes to her family's story that Ruth gives in the Epilogue?

9. What kind of perspective can Ruth offer about what happens to her family?

10. What does the trail of blood that follows Clara after the ball indicate?

(see the answer keys)

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