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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 Lady Margaret's relationship to Sir Francis?

2. Where are Charlotte and Vinny?

3. Who does Lady Margaret say is responsible for some bruises on her?

4. How does Gordon become with Eliza?

5. Who is having a conversation in "Experiements With Aliens"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Isobel say about Charles?

2. What does Gordon think of Eliza, and how do Charlotte and Vinny think of her?

3. What does Isobel learn about several of the people in her circle of friends or acquaintances?

4. What smell does Isobel awaken to and what does she notice?

5. What does Herbert do to Violet Angela, and what is Maude's response to Violet's telling her about Herbert?

6. How does Maude Potter finally get a baby and what does she name the baby?

7. How does Malcolm die this time in Isobel's "vision"?

8. Who is Lady Margaret and what happens to her in regards to Sir Francis?

9. Who is having breakfast when Isobel goes downstairs and how is everyone at the breakfast table?

10. What does Isobel say about Eunice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation whereby Hilary and Isobel eventually become good friends. Discuss two other incidences of irony in "Human Croquet".

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of five symbols found in "Human Croquet".

3. Discuss the use of foreshadowing in literature. What is the purpose of foreshadowing? Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how it is used to indicate events to come in "Human Croquet".

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast Isobel's and Charles' reaction to the disappearance of their mother. How do you think you would have reacted in a similar situation? Explain.

2. Discuss how you would have handled things were you in Isobel at Hilary's party. Do you think she handles the party better or worse than (or about the same) as you? Would you have confided in your someone about the party? Why or why not?

3. Do you think Isobel and Charles should have been taken to a therapist? Why? What do you think the therapists would have said to each of them?

Essay Topic 3

Many authors if queried would admit that they have an agenda for writing a particular novel. Discuss the following:

1. Define and give examples of the concept of "author agenda."

2. Do you think Atkinson has an agenda in mind when she writes "Human Croquet"?

3. What do you think would be Atkinson's agenda(s) (if she has one)? Give examples to illustrate how the agenda is fulfilled.

4. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

5. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

(see the answer keys)

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