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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. When does Sean summon Aisling home to visit their mother?

2. Who does Elizabeth feel sympathy towards during his speech in Chapter 13?

3. According to Elizabeth, what would she do if Henry turned to drink?

4. How does Stone react to his mother's death?

5. How does Elizabeth's father feel about Elizabeth's new position in Chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. What upsets Eileen at the beginning of Chapter 17?

2. How does Elizabeth's and Stone's relationship come to an end in Chapter 16?

3. What career progress does Elizabeth make in Chapter 11? What does her father think about her activities?

4. What promise does Elizabeth make to Eileen before she dies?

5. Why is Violet hospitalized in Chapter 11? What does George think of this turn of events?

6. What does Aisling look forward to on her wedding day?

7. What causes Tony to start drinking again in Chapter 16?

8. Who does Aisling begin an affair with in Chapter 20? Who almost discovers the affair?

9. Why does Elizabeth decline to invite Stone to Aisling's wedding? What does Eileen tell Elizabeth when she arrives for the wedding?

10. What does Aisling innocently reveal to Henry in Chapter 20?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the motif of sex in the novel "Light a Penny Candle". What are Elizabeth's and Aisling's attitudes towards sex when they are young in Ireland? How do their attitudes change as they mature? What are the characters' opinions on premarital sex?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the motif of marriage in the novel "Light a Penny Candle". Discuss the marriages of Elizabeth and Henry, Violet and George/ Harry, and Aisling and Tony. Are these successful marriages? Why or why not? What do these characters think of marriage?

Essay Topic 3

Divorce was a taboo subject during the 1940s. Discuss how Violet's divorce affected Elizabeth and the rest of the White family. Divorce is also not allowed in the Catholic Church, but Aisling finds that she is unable to stay by Tony's side. How does this affect her relationships with her family?

(see the answer keys)

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