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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 Jenkins do when Barbara asks him to attend a dinner in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market"?

2. Who does Jenkins meet again at Deacon's event?

3. Whose home is Jenkins invited to in Chapter 3 of "A Buyer's Market"?

4. What is the title of the flyers Deacon and Gypsy distribute?

5. Who is Jenkins relieved to hear is out of the country in Chapter 3 of "A Buyer's Market"?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Jenkins' eyes, what makes Eleanor different from the other society girls?

2. After meeting Barbara Goring, what does Jenkins worry about?

3. How do Jenkins and Widmerpool react to the news of Barbara's engagement?

4. What does Thompsitt ask Jenkins as they leave the dance in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market"? What does Jenkins think Thompsitt has realized?

5. When speaking to Widmerpool after the dance, what does Jenkins say he is doing to earn a living? What does Windmerpool think of Jenkins' employment?

6. What does Jenkins attend in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market"? What relieves Jenkins at the event?

7. Why does the topic of conversation turn to Gypsy when Jenkins and Widmerpool meet at the Waldpole-Wilsons' estate?

8. In Chapter 2 of "A Buyer's Market", why does it seem to Jenkins that Stringham is well acquainted with Milly?

9. Where does Jenkins encounter Widmerpool in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market"? What does he find out about Widmerpool ?

10. Who is Max Pilgrim? Why do he and Deacon argue in Chapter 2 of "A Buyer's Market"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Jenkins' growth as a character. How does he grow throughout the novels? How was he able to do this? How does it change his relationships with others?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and interpret the relationship between Jenkins and Jean. What ups and downs do they experience during their relationship? Are they well-suited for one another? Why or why not? What keeps them apart throughout the novel? What do they feel about adultery?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and interpret the conclusion of the first volume of "A Dance to the Music of Time". What happens at the end of the third novel? Are there any unanswered questions? Why might Powell have chosen to end each of the three novels when he did?

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