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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. Malcolm and Melissa invite the unnamed narrator to ___________________.

2. To what city has Nadia moved?

3. Who is the man whom Sophie loves?

4. How does Margaret determine that she will provide a good life for her husband and son?

5. What is well known about Frankie's boss' wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Julia decide to resort to visiting the pornography store?

2. What is the irony of the narrator's attempt to convince Frankie's boss's wife that Frankie is a good employee?

3. What does Lisa do when she realizes that her lover had intended to meet some other woman this weekend?

4. Describe Rita, the latest temp hired by the newspaper.

5. What advice does May receive from her Australian roommate at the clinic?

6. What is Sophie's personal and professional relationship with Peggy?

7. What is the narrator's concern after being identified as a lesbian at the party?

8. What is Eddie's outlook on his profession and why does he say he cannot change it?

9. How does Pat's naivete show in her discussion and agreements with Joy and Marigold?

10. What is the source of Julia's angst in "Tottenham Court Road"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of the book's title? What are some other possible titles for the book? List at least five and cite your reasons for each.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of women in Ireland and England in the 1970s as Binchy portrays them. What precedents were they forced to follow? What role does poverty play in their lives? How does religion rule over their choices? How do they tend to view relationships with men?

Essay Topic 3

Maeve Binchy is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony, briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

(see the answer keys)

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