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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 Nathaniel's sister show him that casts doubt on their mother's whereabouts in the section titled "Hell-Fire"?

2. What radio program does Nathaniel's mother listen to on Saturdays?

3. What does Arthur McCash tell Nathaniel that Nathaniel's mother is doing?

4. In the section titled "Agnes Street," where does Nathaniel find a restaurant job?

5. What does Nathaniel's sister do when they realize their mother has lied to them in the section titled "Hell-Fire"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nathaniel remember about Rose packing her steamer trunk for her trip to Singapore?

2. What does Olive insist that Rachel and Nathaniel do with her one evening?

3. Why do Nathaniel and Rachel refer to Walter as The Moth?

4. What does Nathaniel tell Agnes to try to conceal the truth of his family situation?

5. What does Nathaniel get in trouble for, that generations of boys before him have also done, at his boarding school in Chapter 1?

6. How does Nathaniel describe Olive Lawrence's personality?

7. How is Arthur McCash different from other guests who had cycled through Ruvigny Gardens?

8. How did The Moth react when The Darter and Olive Lawrence would fight?

9. What does Arthur McCash tell Nathaniel that startles him when McCash surprises Nathaniel at Victoria Station?

10. What one memorable story does the Moth tell Nathaniel and Rachel about Rose during his time working with Rose in the war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay comparing and contrasting Nathaniel's and Rachel's reactions to their parents' - and especially Rose's - actions during their childhood. Cite specific references to the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay comparing The Darter's decision to marry Agnes/Sophie and raise her daughter with her to the decisions other agents like Marsh Felon and Rose Williams made regarding balancing their family relationships with their work for British Intelligence Services.

Essay Topic 3

What do you think Nathaniel's decision to buy the Malakites' house in The Saints represents? What is the significance of this decision in relation to Nathaniel's quest to find out more about Rose, his mother's, life and work? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 770 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample