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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 does Emily think might be suitable in terms of marrying Cecilia?

2. What does Emily watch as she looks at her unused harpsichord?

3. What is Jack actually doing when he calls up with the answer to #136?

4. Who treats the inspectors in a condescending manner?

5. Who wants to change the menu to cold cuts instead of the original plan for the dinner arrangements?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Leon have to say about England in hot weather?

4. Why is Betty furious with Emily?

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

6. What does Briony decide about the letter that Robbie has written to Cecilia?

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

8. Where does Cecilia run off to in order to be free of her mother?

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

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

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

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 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)

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