View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Alice's oldest child?

2. How many sisters does the narrator have?

3. What book does Ruby have with her?

4. What was Nell's occupation before the war?

5. Who comes to take Ruby home?

Short Essay Questions

1. What causes Nell to faint in Footnote (ii)?

2. Why is Bunty "torn" at the beginning of Chapter Three?

3. How was Jack killed?

4. What "improvements" does Rachel make to the Barker family and home after she arrives to help out?

5. Describe the movie Jack and Nell went to when he was home on leave.

6. What happens to Frank?

7. How is Ruby received when she returns home?

8. What kind of man was Frederick Barker?

9. How is Bunty treated at Sunday School after missing the outing?

10. How do the girls spend the first day of Bunty's disappearance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Atkinson use secrets to develop her story? What commentary is she making?

Essay Topic 2

At the end of the novel, as she parts from Ruby at the train station, Patricia says, "The past is what you leave behind in life, Ruby," and Ruby answers, "Nonsense, Patricia, the past's what you take with you." Which phillosophy do you think Atkinson believes? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significance of two of these family heirlooms: the silver locket, the clock, the rabbit's foot, the photographs.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 983 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample