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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 type of worker is Frank?

2. What is Frank's last name?

3. When Vernon meets with his newspaper staff for the first time in Chapter Four, what happens?

4. What is Vernon a victim of?

5. Who does Clive see arguing when he is hiking?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the photos that Vernon has of Julian.

2. Why does Clive oppose Vernon's plan to post the pictures?

3. What conclusions does Clive come to about his relationship with Vernon?

4. Why does Clive confess that he sees a violent attack to Vernon?

5. How does Clive undermine his moral authority?

6. How is Clive unethical?

7. What is Vernon's plan for the photos of Julian?

8. Why does Rose Garmony go on TV instead of Julian?

9. Why doesn't Clive contact the police about what he witnesses at the hiking trail?

10. Does Vernon consider the consequences of posting the photos of Julian?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the ways in which each character fails to see their own shortcomings, even up to the end of the novel where the only thing that all of them cares about is revenge.

Essay Topic 2

The first chapter introduces all the major characters in the novel. What are your first impressions of George, Vernon, Clive, and Julian? Are these impressions correct as you read more of the novel? Is the first chapter effective in introducing the characters accurately? Are the characters in the novel generally likable or unlikable? Cite at least three examples.

Essay Topic 3

What character is the focal point of each chapter? What do you think Ian McEwan hopes to accomplish in focusing on characters on a chapter-by-chapter basis? What kind of effect does this have on the reader?

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