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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 did Mr. Stevens receive from Miss Kenton?

2. Why does Miss Kenton interrupt the conference to beckon Stevens out of the room?

3. What does Mr. Stevens hope to purchase before his trip?

4. According to Stevens, what is another characteristic of a great butler?

5. What nationality is Mr. Faraday?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the March 23 conference hosted by Lord Darlington?

2. What is the significance of the novel's final scene in which Stevens waits for the lights on the pier to come on?

3. How do Miss Kenton's personality and work style challenge Stevens at first?

4. Explain the symbolism and foreshadowing in this chapter.

5. How does Stevens feel about visiting the small pond?

6. How does Miss Kenton react to the news that Stevens had also been upset by the dismissal of the Jewish girls?

7. Why does Stevens evade the question about being employed by Lord Darlington at one time?

8. Who is Mr. Cardinal and what does Stevens recall about him?

9. What are Stevens' continuing thoughts on what makes a great butler?

10. When does Stevens first get a glimpse of Lord Darlington's Nazi sympathies?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the technique of symbolism used extensively in this book. Describe some situations that can be considered symbolism. Why are they examples of symbolism? What are the benefits of using symbolism?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the unspoken attraction between Stevens and Miss Kenton. How does Miss Kenton try to get to know Stevens on a more personal level? Is she successful? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Stevens feel he must be evasive about his employment with Lord Darlington? What has happened to make Stevens change his perspective on Lord Darlington? How does Stevens measure his own life by Lord Darlington's activities?

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