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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. From whom does Robbie have a letter offering to help him with medical school costs?

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

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

4. From the window in what room does Lola notice Briony, as answered in question #49?

5. Where does Briony sit alone, holding the script of her first play?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What has fallen into disrepair, according to the narrative in this section?

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

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

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

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

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

9. Who does Emily trust to take care of things around the house while she tries to rest?

10. What does Emily think will prevent Cecilia from finding a husband?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The fountain scene between Robbie and Cecilia is one that begins to turn Briony's attention to darker perceptions of the two characters.

Part 1: Describe what actually happens at the fountain between Robbie and Cecilia.

Part 2: Describe what Briony perceives to have happened during this conversation between the two.

Part 3: Why do you think Cecilia reacted in the scene the way she did? What does this seem to say to Briony?

Essay Topic 3

Violence also plays a major role in this story, causing characters to be misconstrued and causing characters to create their own explanations.

Part 1: Describe the scene between Robbie and Cecilia which is seen as violence in Briony's eyes.

Part 2: Why do you think Briony mistook this scene for violence?

Part 3: What does the assumption of violence or negative actions (as in when Lola agrees with Briony's assessment of the letter) say about these characters? Why are they so sensitive to the possibility of violence?

(see the answer keys)

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