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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. When does Eileen tell Alice she thinks humans lost their instinct for beauty?

2. Where is Simon when Eileen calls him in Chapter 7?

3. Who is Eileen's mother?

4. Who is Lola's fiance?

5. Where does Alice ask Felix to travel with her in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What big event is happening in Eileen's family, and how does she feel about it?

2. In Chapter 11, why does Eileen go to Simon's late at night and what happens between them?

3. In Chapter 8, why is Eileen worried about Alice going to Rome?

4. In Chapter 10, why does Alice tell Eileen she does not really read contemporary novels anymore?

5. How does Eileen describe her job to herself?

6. Why does Alice tell Felix she has come to his hometown?

7. What is the background of Simon's and Eileen's relationship?

8. In Chapter 9, how does Alice describe Eileen to Felix?

9. How does Felix's and Alice's night end in Chapter 1?

10. How does Eileen characterize Simon's current girlfriend Caroline?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do Eileen's impressions of Simon's religious faith change over the course of the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What are some of the causes of Eileen's difficult relationship with her sister Lola? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

What do you think it means that Eileen begins writing again professionally in the very end of the novel, and that she asks Alice for feedback on her work? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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