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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. Mary's parents had rejected her boyfriend, _______________.

2. What is Sandy's last name?

3. What illness does Jane's husband have?

4. How old is Mary when she decides to return home from being estranged from her family?

5. How many rooms are in Vera's home?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Eve's philosophies for helping women get ahead and when does she know to move on to the next opportunity?

2. What is the premise of "Victoria"?

3. Why has Jane requested a reunion with her friends, Helen and Margaret?

4. What does Mona learn about her own mother's view of her death from cancer that is similar to her own?

5. What is Eve's focus with the work she does for individual women?

6. What is the premise of "Brixton"?

7. How does this story differ from many of the other stories which address inter-generational conflict?

8. How is Olive's true character in contrast to the gracious person she pretends to be?

9. Describe Vera's childhood and how she prepares to leave her situation.

10. What is the premise of "Green Park"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In several of the stories, the element of family reproach or disapproval over the choice of a lover or mate is prevalent. Why is this a recurring theme in Binchy's stories? Was this a typical mindset for the time period? Or is family judgmentalism an ever-present element in life in general?

Essay Topic 2

Choose a story from LONDON TRANSPORTS and project into the future ten years after the end of the story and write a brief synopsis for the main character's life. How will the character have changed? How does the character stay the same? What life lessons has the character learned? Explain.

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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