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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 the narrator tell the young boy to do?

2. What does the narrator tell the inspector investigating the shooting?

3. What does Vercueil propose to the narrator?

4. Who helps the narrator find her way home?

5. What is the narrator doing when the boy startles her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the narrator wonder about her ability to love?

2. What has Mr. Vercueil become interested in?

3. What horrific scene do they encounter when they walk?

4. What do the narrator and Mr. Thabane discuss about comradeship?

5. What does Mrs. Curren do when Mr. Vercueil is not looking?

6. What was the narrator planning to do with her car?

7. What does the narrator recall about her daughter?

8. Where do Mr. Vercueil and the narrator drive?

9. How is Mr. Vercueil different at the start of Part Three, pg. 115-147?

10. What does the narrator explain over tea?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define epistolary novel and discuss how "Age of Iron" is an example.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Coetzee's development of the plot in the "Age of Iron", from the initial situation to the climax and conclusion.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Florence's reaction to Mr. Vercueil and compare it with Mrs. Curren's reaction to him.

(see the answer keys)

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