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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. How long does Charles say the woman has kept house?

2. What is the name of the Marchmains' oldest child?

3. Why does Sebastian refuse to take Charles on a tour of the castle?

4. To what country do Charles and his troop travel?

5. Why has Lady Marchmain hired Mr. Samgrass?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rex find a way to marry Julia?

2. What steps has Lady Marchmain taken to safeguard her son?

3. What does the chapel lamp symbolize?

4. How does the ocean liner serve as a metaphor for Charles and Julia's love affair?

5. How does Cordelia react to seeing Sebastian and Charles naked on the roof?

6. Why does Brideshead interest Charles so much?

7. What is Charles Ryder's state of mind in the opening chapter?

8. How have the other characters in the story lead Charles to religion?

9. Why does Charles ignore Anthony's warnings about Sebastian?

10. Why does Jasper chastise Charles for his choice of friends?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss 's Waugh's life. In what way do you think his life and personality is reflected in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Waugh's writing style. How would you describe Waugh's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does Waugh's style give to the story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the values of the 1940's.

1) Why was religion and nostalgia such an issue during this time?

2) In what ways are the characters a product of their time? Do you think Britain was going through a transitional phase in the the 1940s? What significant changes do you think occurred during this period?

3)Does modern society share any values with the 1940s?

(see the answer keys)

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