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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. Who is the woman that strikes fear into the hearts of all the probationary nurses and staff?

2. Who is the character that startles Briony as she is trying to write another story for her brother?

3. Who is the 'tiresome little prima donna?"

4. What do Leon and Marshall prepare in order to renew their search for the twins that was halted when the attack was discovered?

5. Who casts themselves as the protector of Cecilia as they see Cecilia going into the library with Robbie?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who enters the library and catches Robbie and Cecilia?

2. What does Briony think Cecilia is telling Leon when Briony sees them walking together a distance away?

3. What does Emily think her husband will do soon?

4. How does Cecilia react to Robbie's apology to her about the note?

5. How does Briony escape Cecelia's questioning?

6. Why do the probationers live in constant fear of Sister Marjorie Drummond?

7. Why is Briony the one who is left with the adults to tell the story?

8. What is the explanation for the disembodied human leg that Briony thinks she sees?

9. When Cecilia puts on the pink dress, who does she think she looks like?

10. What has happened to Lola, according to Briony?

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

The idea of atonement is not a surprising theme, given the title of the book.

Part 1: Who is the character that decides he/she needs to atone for his/her sins?

Part 2: Why does this character feel the way he/she does?

Part 3: Do you think this character is genuine in his/her desire to make things right? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The vase becomes a symbolic item in this story, with its glorious return to the family, then its breaking, repair, and then eventual demise.

Part 1: What is the story of the vase's return to the family?

Part 2: How does the vase become broken in the first place?

Part 3: What does the breaking and repair of the case seem to symbolize in relation to the relationship between Robbie and Cecilia?

(see the answer keys)

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