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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 many years did Robbie spend in jail for his crimes, according to the narrative?

2. Where do Leon and Cecilia walk to as they are talking to each other?

3. Who does the answer to #151 say that she saw?

4. What does Emily think Jack will call soon to say to her, as he does quite often?

5. Who is Emily convinced sabotaged Briony's play?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Briony reveal her true self within this section?

2. Why is Betty furious with Emily?

3. What is Jack's response to the disappearance of the twins?

4. What is Lola's response to the letter that Robbie has written for Cecilia, as told to her by Briony?

5. What does Robbie have to say about the letter that he wrote to Cecilia?

6. Who are the three stragglers that are moving toward a bombed out house as they attempt to find a shortcut to the sea?

7. Who approaches Cecilia as she is changing for dinner?

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

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

10. Who interrupts Briony as she is trying to write a new story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of a letter becomes an important plot point at several times in this story.

Part 1: List three instances in which a letter delivers an important message.

Part 2: Are there any instances in which a letter is used for a positive purpose? What are they?

Part 3: In today's times, could these messages be delivered by e-mail? Or is the structure of the letter crucial to its value and its worth? Does the actual format of the letter add to the meaning?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

The growing up of Briony plays into the overall plot of the story, showing the reader that while she might want to grow up, she isn't quite ready for that adult world.

Part 1: List at least three things that Briony does that shows her immaturity.

Part 2: List at least three things that Briony does that demonstrate that she is growing up in the first part of the book.

Part 3: Has Briony grown up in the second part of the book? Or is she still childish in her interactions and her reactions to Cecilia?

(see the answer keys)

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