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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 Lilly concerned for Benny?

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

3. Who shows up unexpectedly at Kit Hegarty's house?

4. Why does Mrs. Healy refuse to allow Fonsie and Clodagh to enter the hotel bar?

5. Why is Heather so pleased with the praise she gets for her part in the Easter pageant?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Heather and Benny do when Benny finds her at the cottage?

2. What does Emily find in Nan's room that indicates her ambition to join high society?

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

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

5. What advice of Nan's does Benny use to dissuade her father from walking her to Eve's party and coming to collect her later?

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

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

8. What do Benny and Annabel learn about the lawyer?

9. How does Benny get home to Knockglen after the news arrives that her father has died?

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

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 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.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on Resentment and Anger. Use the character of Eve in three aspects--first, her resentment and anger at the Westward family; second, her growing suspicion of Nan; and third, her anger directed at Nan over what she did to Benny and the fact that she did it in her cottage.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on My Recommendation for Circle of Friends. In your essay that either recommends the novel or not, be specific in your reasons. Deal with (1) the plot line and sub plots; (2) the development of the characters; and (3) the use of complications. After analyzing the story, put your recommendation at the end of the essay.

(see the answer keys)

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