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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. Who are the two people Ivy sees in the corridor?

2. How does Burnham describe the task he is working on as the story begins?

3. The toaster and the coffee maker in the kitchen are from which foreign countries?

4. How does Eva know so much about vitamins?

5. What is Mr Renfro's last comment to Burnham?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Sonja?

2. Does Burnham want "Q" clearance?

3. Why is Ivy so driven to get Jerome his diploma?

4. What discovery enables the pasha of Banda to finance his sadistic regime?

5. What is the President in the process of doing to Burnham before he suddenly has a change of heart?

6. Describe the economic situation in the Soviet Union during the war.

7. Why has Epstein turned down the job he was originally offered by the President who was then still a Senator?

8. What confuses Burnham about his "Q" status?

9. How does Burnham handle the situation after he finds out the truth about the pasha?

10. What is Burnham feeling when he gets home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How would you describe the tension between Burnham and Epstein?

1) Does the President like Epstein? Explain using examples from the book.

2) Does Burnham like Epstein? Explain using examples from the book.

3) How is Epstein's job different than Burnham's?

Essay Topic 2

Sarah appears to have some very strong principles, and uses this as a reason for kicking Burnham out of the house.

Part 1) What are Sarah's complaints about Burnham?

Part 2) Do you think Sarah was being fair in her accusations?

Part 3) Does it seem to you that Sarah's friend, Sonja, was influencing her, as Burnham believed she was? Explain, using examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Burnham always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Through a series of semi-comical events, his career as a speech writer causes him to become the President's right hand man.

Part 1) What role does Dyanna play in Burnham's success and what is she motivated by?

Part 2) Is Burnham interested in being so close to the President and does this change in the course of the book?

Part 3) Who is Burnham's favorite author and how does this influence his advice to the President?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 774 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample