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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 always stops Emily from giving her full attention to the children?

2. In Robbie's office, there is a photograph of __________ celebrating their honeymoon.

3. What does Cecilia say to Briony when she would have nightmares? "________. It's only a dream."

4. Who does Briony sacrifice in her story, declaring them to be incompetent actors?

5. Where does Briony imagine herself to be, as an expert at slashing the nettles in the yard?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Cecilia's father disapprove of which she does in spite of this disapproval?

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

7. What mystery does Briony begin to contemplate as she is looking at her hand?

8. Why does Emily retreat to her bedroom each and every day?

9. Where does Briony imagine herself to be?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

The men of the story seem to play more of a background role, even though they are an integral part of the action.

Part 1: Describe the role of Leon. Who is he and what does he provide for the story?

Part 2: Describe the character of Paul Marshall. Who is he and what does he bring to the story?

Part 3: Describe the character of Robbie. Who is he and what does he bring to the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 657 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample