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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 has Leon seen Briony doing by the lake?

2. What does Briony think she should have done for her brother?

3. What is the problem, Briony finally decides, in regards to the play she wants to stage?

4. What is wrong, according to the dictionary, and according to Briony's discovery in that dictionary?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. For what does Robbie type a letter to Cecilia as an apology?

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

3. What does Briony do when she has finished a piece of writing?

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

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

6. What do the children do in response to Emily because her illness stops Emily from giving her children a mother's attention?

7. Why does Cecilia not go to the kitchen to fill up the vase with water?

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

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

10. What does Briony realize to be one of the strengths of writing for drama?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the biggest themes in this manuscript is the idea of reality vs. fantasy. Briony's perspective not only yields a delightful narrative, but also disastrous consequences for other characters.

Part 1: In what way is Briony's storytelling helpful to the characters in the story?

Part 2: In what way is Briony's perspective hurtful to the characters?

Part 3: Is Briony a reliable narrator? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of love and romance is an expected one in a novel containing a young girl who looks to her older sisters to see what "real life" will be like when she grows up.

Part 1: What does Briony think romance and love should include?

Part 2: What do you think Cecilia uses as a definition of love and romance? What does love include, according to her?

Part 3: Cite two examples of love relationships in this story. What do they have to say about the idea of love and its ability to heal and to hurt?

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?

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