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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. Why is Nan's father angry with her?

2. What does Benny do as she and Jack Foley walk through Knockglen?

3. Who prays to find the money to send Eve to university?

4. Why does Benny diet before her date with Jack Foley?

5. What comment does Eve make about parents who get involved in their children's lives?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Benny learn about how Eve has lived all these years that Benny has pitied her?

2. How does Benny reprimand her father for sending Sean to bring her home?

3. What does Benny do before what she thinks is a date with Jack?

4. What is the tragedy at the end of Chapter 3?

5. Detail what portends a future problem in the novel.

6. What bothers Benny at the party and dance when she wears the dress Clodagh made for her?

7. How does Jack learn what happened in the accident?

8. How is Jack entertained in Knockglen?

9. What develops for Eve as a result of the accident?

10. What happens that makes Benny feel like a little traitor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on Benny as an Unlikely Heroine. (1) Define her strengths and weaknesses. (2) Explain why you think

Maeve Binchy chose a girl like Benny to be the central character of the novel. (3) How do you see Benny as the epitome of a good friend? (4) Discuss Benny as

an overprotected young lady who acquiesces to her parents' rules.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on Superficiality. Divide the essay into two main parts--first, discuss Nan and Simon who go on appearances and how that causes them both to make bad choices. Discuss how Nan's affectation of good breeding and elegant dressing could not alter the manipulative person she really was. Mention Simon's first impression that Nan was rich because of what he saw and how appearances in that case were all a lie.

In the second part, discuss making judgments on appearance using the towns people's reaction to Clodagh and Fonzie who are good-hearted but look different.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on Empathy. Mother Francis is the most empathetic character in the novel. Discuss in your essay the different ways she deals with Eve, Kit, and Heather. Conclude with an evaluation of empathizing with people's particular problems.

(see the answer keys)

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