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

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

3. Where is Robbie injured according to the opening of this second of the book?

4. Where does Cecilia meet up with her half-drunk brother, finally, after escaping from her mother and the drama of the kitchen?

5. Who gathers the produce for the cold salad in order to compromise between Betty's and Emily's ideas for dinner?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What has been haunting Emily lately?

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

6. What is hanging high up in a tree above the three stragglers from the retreating British army?

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

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

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

10. What is Cecilia doing in response to the attack?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Emily Tallis is a fascinating creature who evokes pity and anger from readers who "meet" her.

Part 1: Describe the character of Emily Tallis.

Part 2: What do Emily's children think of her as a mother and as a person?

Part 3: Why do you think Emily Tallis suffers from illnesses so much? Is it purely physical or might it be psychological?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of imagination is one that plays out throughout this story. Many characters have dreams, while others take everyday events and turn them into fantastic stories.

Part 1: Does the introduction of imagination cause this story to be believable? In other words, can the reader trust everything he/she reads?

Part 2: Does imagination seem to create positive results or negative results? Or both?

Part 3: Describe one scene in which imagination plays a central role. What is the outcome of this situation?

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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