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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 does the narrator describe as the result of Florence's infrequent episodes of showing affection to her father Geoffrey?

2. What does the narrator name as Edward's main activity during the weekends in his college years?

3. When Edward wonders whether he should find a proper job instead of pursuing his writing, what job does he imagine taking?

4. What image is on the paperback guide that Florence relies upon for information about sex?

5. For how many miles does Chesil Beach stretch along the coast?

Short Essay Questions

1. What legend exists about the shingle on Chesil Beach and how does it inform the couple's plans?

2. What technique does Florence use in order to conceal her feelings from her family?

3. What is the effect of Florence finding the penciled performance notes in the trash at the concert hall?

4. How does the theme of secrecy emerge within the narrator's statement about Edward's previous experiences in hotels?

5. How does Florence describe her mother Violet's use of physical affection?

6. What is the event that galvanizes Edward's determination to marry Florence?

7. What example does the author provide to support the claim that Florence has come to find life within her family home as unbearably oppressive?

8. What is the symbolism of Edward's B- grade on his dissertation?

9. What is the author's purpose for using an allusion to the silverware collection in "the Ashmolean" (68) and how does this choice relate to a larger theme within the novella?

10. What is the significance of the "contradiction" (28) the author describes as living within Florence's soul from the moment Edward asks her to marry him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the author's messages surrounding the topic of sexual freedom.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the novella On Chesil Beach from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 3

What is the function of Marjorie's character within the novella? Discuss the characterization methods used by the author in depicting Marjorie and include in your discussion the reasons that the author portrays her in these particular ways.

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