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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 does Henry eat for lunch at the club while dining with Bendrix?

2. Why does Miss Smythe insist Bendrix wait until her brother arrives home?

3. When Bendrix first meets him how long does Henry say he and Sarah have been married?

4. Why does Henry go downstairs when he is sick?

5. Who is the Maurice that Sarah refers to in her diary?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Mr. Savage

2. What memory does the recital program Bendrix finds in one of Sarah's books bring back?

3. What is the significance of the man spilling his beer in Rules restaurant?

4. Who does Bendrix notice attended Sarah's funeral?

5. Why does Bendrix begin to doubt that his story is one of hatred in this chapter?

6. What does Bendrix do to try and detract Henry's attention from his liaison with Sarah in the living room?

7. Why does Bendrix decide to invite Henry to lunch?

8. What ironic fact does Sarah's mother reveal to Bendrix as they having dinner? Why is this ironic?

9. What is disturbing to Sarah about the dream she has?

10. Why is Bendrix reminded "this is what hope feels like" after talking with Sarah on the phone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bendrix's character has been described as selfish and paranoid. Write an essay:

1) agreeing or disagreeing with this characterization

2) proving your position through details from the novel.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

One of the themes The End of the Affair explores is transformation or metamorphosis. Discuss what the novel has to say about this theme. Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Flashbacks are important to the development of the novel. Select two major flashback scenes and discuss:

1) what happens in the flashback

2) how the story is influenced by the presence of this flashback

3) the significance of the flashback in the story

4) why Bendrix chooses to remember this scene.

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample