Miss Brooke had that kind of beauty which seems to be thrown into relief by poor dress. Her hand and wrist were so finely formed that she could wear sleeves not less bare of style than those in which the Blessed Virgin appeared to Italian painters; and her profile as well as her stature and bearing seemed to gain the more dignity from her plain garments. She was usually spoken of as being remarkably clever, but with the addition that her sister Celia had more common‑sense.

Miss Brooke’s mind was theoretic, and yearned by its nature after some lofty conception of the world’s duties. She was enamoured of intense study, and wished to be wise; yet she was often hindered by her own generous impulses. She longed for intellectual companionship, and despised the trivialities of fashionable society.

The sisters lived with their uncle, Mr. Brooke, a man of acquiescent temper, easy opinions, and rambling speech. Their parents had died when they were very young, and the uncle’s estate of Tipton became their home. Celia, though less ardent than her sister, was affectionate and gentle, and she often moderated Dorothea’s more fervent ideas.

1. What was the surname of the two sisters in the extract?
2. Miss Brooke’s appearance is said to be “thrown into relief” by what?
3. Which part of Miss Brooke’s body is described as “finely formed”?
4. Which painters are mentioned in relation to the style of her sleeves?
5. What quality was Miss Brooke “usually spoken of” as having?
6. Which sister was said to have “more common‑sense”?
7. What kind of mind is Miss Brooke described as having?
8. What did Miss Brooke’s mind “yearn” after?
9. What did Miss Brooke wish “to be”?
10. What hindered Miss Brooke in her pursuit of wisdom?
11. What kind of companionship did Miss Brooke long for?
12. What did Miss Brooke despise?
13. Who did the sisters live with?
14. What is one characteristic used to describe Mr. Brooke’s temper?
15. What had happened to the sisters’ parents?
16. What was the name of the estate where the sisters lived?
17. Which sister is described as “affectionate and gentle”?
18. What did Celia often moderate?
19. Which sister is implied to be more fervent in her ideas?
20. What word is used to describe Mr. Brooke’s speech?

Creative Fiction Writing: Write an imaginative piece that starts with the line: ‘The envelope had sat on the table for three days, but I had been afraid to open it.’