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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 does Heather say Simon is in England?

2. Who prevents Kit from coming to Knockglen for Christmas?

3. What do Jack and Nan do in front of her house after the rugby club dance?

4. What is the close call Jack and Nan have in Knockglen?

5. Where does Benny find envelopes of money Sean had been embezzling?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sean manipulate an invitation to the Hogan's house for Christmas?

2. What does Benny learn from Eve about where Jack and Nan went for their trysts.

3. What does Nan do when she is sure she is pregnant?

4. What is the exchange between Jack and Benny the morning after Jack took Nan to a dance?

5. Why does Eve say they have to tell everyone about Jack and Nan?

6. Thinking about Jack and Nan, how close does Benny come to the real truth?

7. What advice does Dr. Johnson give Annabel when Eddie dies and why does he give it?

8. Why are Eve and Benny not happy with Nan's seeing Simon?

9. How does Jack show his naivety after being at the cottage three times with Nan?

10. What is the meeting like at the cafe when Kit and Joseph are there?

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 Self Esteem. Your essay should be in two parts. First discuss how too much self esteem as in the case of Nan, can lead to disaster. The second part of the essay should focus on too little self esteem, like Benny, and how that causes insecurity and pain. Conclude the essay with a summary that recommends moderation in how one sees oneself.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on Heather as Hope for the Future. Binchy uses the child Heather to take aim at religious prejudice. (1) Show how Heather is unaffected by the Protestant/Catholic labels as she develops a relationship with Eve; (2) Discuss how Heather adapts to Mother Francis' school in preference to the boarding school in Dublin; (3) Mention Heather's enjoyment and excitement over being in the Easter pageant at St. Mary's. Evaluate how well Binchy is saying that people of all religions can live comfortably together.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on Paying the Piper. The essay should center on Jack. Three main points are his looks and athletic ability that have many girls around him all the time; his failure to seduce Benny and substituting the opportunistic Nan; followed by his loss of Benny. Conclude with the generality that people pay for their mistakes.

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This section contains 749 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample