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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. Which musician's records does Edward try to make Florence love without success?

2. What color is Florence's going-away dress that she changes into after the wedding?

3. What is NOT listed as a feature of Florence's childhood home?

4. What element is NOT present within the view out of the open window in the honeymoon suite?

5. How often does Florence's family's housekeeper come to their home?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is irony employed within the narrator's portrayal of Edward's struggle to unzip Florence's dress?

2. What is the significance of Edward's move to yank his tie off and to unbutton his shirt with his other hand as he approaches the bed?

3. When Edward decides that Florence has deceived him about their love, what reasons does Edward consider for why Florence might be marrying him?

4. For what reason does Florence ask Edward to tell her "something" as they are getting ready to consummate their marriage (125)?

5. How is irony present within the narrator's statement that "It crossed Edward's mind, barely seriously, that he was rather too keen to give his daughter away" (140)?

6. What is the symbolism of the pants Edward holds in his hands after Florence flees the honeymoon suite?

7. What does the narrator mean when writing about Florence, "It helped her to settle on the basics, and she spelled them out for herself in stupid clarity" (105)?

8. What is the author's purpose for introducing Edward's memory about the combine harvester?

9. What observations does Edward provide about the relationship between Geoffey and his daughter Florence?

10. How does Edward's analysis of the situation with Harold Mather change over a matter of weeks?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the author's use of Aristotle's appeals in shaping the story of On Chesil Beach. Discuss at least two examples of ethos, two examples of logos, and two examples of pathos used by the author within the narrative in order to influence the reader in particular ways.

Essay Topic 2

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Ian McEwan's novella On Chesil Beach. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Trace the characterization arc of Florence’s character throughout the novella. Discuss whether she is a round or flat character and whether she is a static or dynamic character.

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