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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. Cecily sends Helene photos that show her husband is what?

2. Helene specifically says she does not want any love poems from whom?

3. Helene says that from where she sits, London is a lot closer than _____________.

4. Why does Helene fear her library card will be revoked?

5. Who does Helene say she is in her first letter to Marks & Co.?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Helene's response to Frank inquiring if she would like a first edition of Newman's Idea of a University?

2. Why won't Helene send her payments in money orders instead of cash as the booksellers have requested?

3. What shocking news does Helene receive from Marks & Co. in 1968?

4. Why does Helene Hanff write the first letter to the proprietors of the Marks & Co. bookstore in London, England?

5. What kind of books of poems does Helene request from Marks & Co. in her March 25, 1950 letter?

6. Why is Helene upset about the Pepys' Diary sent to her?

7. Why does Helene's request from the British booksellers decrease by 1968?

8. What does Nora reveal to Helene after Frank dies?

9. What does Helene apologize about in her letter to Cecily?

10. Why is Sheila going to say a "jolly good prayer" for Helene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of appearance versus reality throughout the book.

Essay Topic 2

Are Frank and Helene opposites or just two sides of the same coin? Explain your answer using specific events in the book to compare/contrast Frank and Helene.

Essay Topic 3

Helene admits to not being fond of fiction, yet in many ways these letters read like a novel. Discuss the "fictional" aspects of the letters.

(see the answer keys)

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