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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 is all that remains of the surprising scene to which Briony is a witness?

2. What breaks when Robbie and Cecilia argue over who will help with filling it?

3. Who cannot act, as seen in the play practice, causing Briony to become even more frustrated with her play?

4. What does Cecila prepare to help brighten up the room of the guest who is arriving soon?

5. Who does Emily think will be hindered in her search for a husband because of her education level?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lola ask of Marshall in as grown-up a manner as she can muster?

2. What does Briony do as she constructs yet another story?

3. What does Lola see through the window of an unused bedroom?

4. What is wrong with the play, according to Briony?

5. What does Robbie presume will happen in relation to the funding for his future schooling?

6. What does Briony imagine is happening when she sees Robbie and Cecilia are out at the fountain?

7. Why does Robbie think he should have turned down Leon's invitation to dinner?

8. What is Robbie thinking of as he soaks in a bathtub?

9. Describe the state of Cecilia at the beginning of this section.

10. What is Briony's reaction to her big brother when he approaches her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Emily Tallis is a fascinating creature who evokes pity and anger from readers who "meet" her.

Part 1: Describe the character of Emily Tallis.

Part 2: What do Emily's children think of her as a mother and as a person?

Part 3: Why do you think Emily Tallis suffers from illnesses so much? Is it purely physical or might it be psychological?

Essay Topic 2

While it seems this story is one about people, the setting also has something to tell the reader in terms of the characters' behaviors and their interactions.

Part 1: Describe the setting of the story in the first part of the book.

Part 2: Describe the setting in the "1999" section of the book.

Part 3: What does the setting seem to say about the Tallis family? What is the overall mood from start to finish in this setting?

Essay Topic 3

Lies seem to be pervasive in this story, but they seem to be taken as truths or at least ignored for the sake of those involved.

Part 1: What is the lie that Mr. Tallis tells again and again?

Part 2: Why does Emily believe her husband's stories, or at least, why does she live with the lies?

Part 3: What are other lies that are told in this story, other than the one Briony tells about Robbie and Lola? What do these lies do to the characters and to the action of the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 656 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample