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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. How old is Lisa?

2. Where does Rita work in "Notting Hill Gate"?

3. What is John Lewis' profession?

4. Malcolm and Melissa can best be described as ___________________.

5. Malcolm and Melissa invite the unnamed narrator to ___________________.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the premise of "Bond Street"?

3. What is the premise of "Queensway"?

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

5. What is the premise of "Holborn"?

6. How is Rita different from the other temps in the office?

7. What is the topic of "Shepherd's Bush" and what does the story signal for the following stories?

8. What does Lisa learn from the street vendor?

9. How does the narrator view the possibility of a lesbian relationship with her friend?

10. What is the source of Lisa's anxiety regarding her affair?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Does Binchy end any of her stories on a note of hope for her characters or are they fated to struggle to come to terms with their lives and flawed relationships? Give your perspective and two reasons to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Greed seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of greed? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses several instances of foreshadowing in her stories. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each an instance of foreshadowing.

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This section contains 936 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample