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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. How might Lola and her twin brothers be described at this point of the story?

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

3. What is the word Robbie adds in impulsively to the letter, although he decides he will not send that copy to Cecilia?

4. Who is no longer the horsy sister, according to Robbie and his daydreams?

5. Who was a war hero whose funeral Cecilia barely remembers?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Briony think she should have done for her brother, Leon's, return?

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

4. What does Cecilia do in order to brighten up the guestroom for Paul Marshall, a friend of her brother's?

5. Why does Briony want to prepare her play to be seen by others?

6. Where does Briony imagine herself to be?

7. What causes Cecilia to stop fixing the vase?

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

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

10. Who pronounces the unthinkable word, "divorce?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The character of Cecilia is one that seems a bit complicated to the reader and to the actual story's movement.

Part 1: Describe the character of Cecilia.

Part 2: Is Cecilia as grown up as she seems to be? Why or why not? Does Cecilia feel she is the adult everyone believes her to be?

Part 3: How is Cecilia affected by the loss of Robbie and by the story of Briony?

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

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