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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 summons everyone to dinner, which interrupts the conversation between Lola and Briony?

2. Cecilia says Leaon and _____________ are dying for one of Betty's roasts.

3. Where does Cecilia lead Robbie when he begins to apologize for the note?

4. What is Robbie afraid Briony is going to mention at the dinner table?

5. Whose presence makes the household settle, which is why everyone is quiet and slows down by the closed library door?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Why is Betty furious with Emily?

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

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

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

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

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 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?

(see the answer keys)

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