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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. Who walks up while Birkin is on the ladder in the church for the first time?

2. When does Birkin first see Kathy Ellerbeck?

3. While on the ladder in the church for the first time, Thomas Birkin thinks about everything that _________ has told him.

4. What type of coat is Thomas Birkin wearing when he arrives in town?

5. What is the name of the church's minister?

Short Essay Questions

1. How many times has Birkin performed the task of uncovering a wall painting?

2. Describe the church in Oxgodby, England.

3. Describe the conversation that Keach and Birkin have regarding living arrangements.

4. Who do Kathy, Edgar, and Birkin visit on the way home from Sunday school? What do they give her?

5. Who gave money to the church in a will? What stipulations do these funds carry?

6. What is attached to the church? What does it contain?

7. What reason does Birkin give for the observation the painting is hidden under paint for a long time? What are some of the reasons he considers the painting is covered so quickly?

8. Who originally discovers and takes interest in the painting? What arrangements does this person make regarding the painting?

9. Describe what Birkin sees when he first enters the church.

10. Where does Moon pitch his tent? What explanation does Moon give Birkin for this placement?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Birkin denounces God immediately after he preaches at the Barton Ferry church. Write an essay examining what the novel has to say about the presence of God.

Essay Topic 2

Birkin falls in love with Alice, but is unable to act on his feelings. Write an essay examining the idea of love within the context of the novel. How is love defined? Which characters does love affect?

Essay Topic 3

The main setting of the novel is a church. In addition, Birkin visits another church with the Ellerbecks and one in Barton Ferry to preach. With all of these symbols of religion in the novel, how much of a role does religion or spirituality play? Are these the same thing? Write an essay examining your ideas.

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