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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 a big dance approaches, what are Bill and Jack discussing?

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

3. At the party, why does Benny hide in the cloak room?

4. Who does Eve get to help her with her chores at Mrs. Hegarty's boardinghouse?

5. Trying to hide her resentment of having to come home each night from university, how does Annabell interpret Benny's responses?

Short Essay Questions

1. What surprise awaits Benny when she goes to meet Jack?

2. How is Jack entertained in Knockglen?

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

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

5. Describe the hope and the reality about Benny's new dress for the party.

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

7. Explain why Brian wants Nan to study downstairs with her brothers.

8. How does Eve accept Benny's explanation for why she cannot stay overnight with Eve?

9. How does Nan get a generous allowance from her father, Brian Mahon, when she starts at the university?

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

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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