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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. As Benny and Eve leave the hotel, who is watching them from Hogan's, across the street?

2. What is making Benny feel stupid?

3. Who is the driver of the car that hits Jack and Eve?

4. What is Benny's father's business?

5. Who is the man who enters the hotel and keeps looking at Nan?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Benny and Annabel discuss Eve?

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

3. How does Eve eventually find out about the extent of her injuries?

4. Why does Dr. Foley ask his son Jack to drive him to Knockglen?

5. What is significant about Jack's breaking off with Shirley?

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

7. What happens when Nan goes home after leaving the hospital?

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

9. Describe the first pangs of Jealousy Benny feels with Nan and Eve.

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

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 The Character of Benny in Circle of Friends. Divide the essay into three main points--Benny physically, Benny mentally and psychologically, and Benny at the end of the novel.

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 Irony in Circle of Friends. (1) Begin with a discussion about what makes a situation ironic. (2) Use Nan as an illustration of the one who always knows what to do or say to put people at ease being the character who does the most damage to the friends. (3) Mention the irony of Dr. Foley, who works to save lives, being the one who takes Frank's life. (4) Explain the irony of both Nan and Simon thinking the other one is rich. (5) Note the irony of Mrs. Healy marrying Sean.

(see the answer keys)

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