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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. What is Dun Lagohaire?

2. What do Eve and Simon argue about?

3. What does Nan tell her father she was afraid of his doing if he came to the hospital?

4. Who was Bunty Brown that Mother Francis tells Kit about?

5. What makes Aidan Lynch hope that the wrecked motorbike does not belong to Frank?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the problem arising over Eve's future education.

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

3. Why is Nan not really interested in the boys from school?

4. When does the friendship begin between Benny and Eve?

5. How is Eve's character established early on in the novel?

6. What is Nan's comment when Benny cannot stay for Frank's funeral and has to take the bus back home?

7. Why are Benny and Eve in the Healy Hotel and what are they doing?

8. How does Benny show her innocence when Jack invites her to a Dutch party?

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

10. What surprise awaits Benny when she goes to meet 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 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 2

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on Dealing With Death in Circle of Friends. First, describe how Kit needs Mother Francis' help to deal with the death of her son, Frank; and next, describe how Benny and Annabel deal with Eddie's death by depending on each other. Conclude with the part good friendships play during times of tragedy.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on The Influence of Younger Generations. First, deal with the character of Clodagh and how she impacts Peggy Pine's business which, in turn, changes business in other establishments. Next, deal with her impact on Benny whose life is changed by wearing Clodagh's low cut gown. Finally, show how Clodagh and Fonzie begin to break down prejudices by wearing Clodagh's fashions. Conclude with an observation about how towns tend to dry up when all the young generation leaves.

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This section contains 741 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample