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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. In Chapter 11, what particular piece is Vivian very taken with at the museum?

2. In Chapter 7, what signals the start of Christmas Eve dinner at Sycamore Cottage?

3. In Chapter 11, what does the museum staff worker do for Vivian that is very rare?

4. In Chapter 12, who comes to Malcolm's flat without warning in the morning?

5. In Chapter 7, what British Christmas tradition does Vivian take part in at the dinner table for the first time?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 7, why is Vivian so upset when Malcolm tells her he has rearranged her flight and travel itinerary?

2. In Chapter 12, what does Vivian tell Malcolm about her first impression of his nephew Miles?

3. In Chapter 10, what is Vivian mortified to have forgotten for her first night with Malcolm?

4. In Chapter 8, what does Malcolm tell Vivian about Miles's big news from Christmas Day?

5. In Chapter 11, why does Malcolm take Vivian to the specific museum he chooses to take her to at night?

6. In Chapter 10, what is Vivian immediately impressed with when she walks into Malcolm's apartment for the first time?

7. In Chapter 7, how does Malcolm know that James, a staff member at Sycamore Cottage, understands the dynamic between himself and Vivian?

8. In Chapter 8, what does Miles say to Malcolm during their argument that is particularly hurtful to Malcolm?

9. In Chapter 10, how do Malcolm and Vivian decide to handle Malcolm's surprise plans for her for the rest of their time together?

10. In Chapter 10, how does Malcolm explain his strange behavior from his first day in London with Vivian to her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, how does Guillory emphasize Vivian's and Malcolm's strong connections and intuitive understanding of each other's character, personality, and preferences despite the short amount of time they have known each other? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter two, why do you think Vivian asks Malcolm whether there are other black people who work closely with the Queen? Why do you think Malcolm seems not to mind Vivian's asking this pointed question about race, when he has often chosen not to answer people's probing questions along these lines in the past? Write an essay explaining your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Guillory chooses to keep some of the finer details of Vivian's and Malcolm's lives vague in her narration? For example, the reader knows Vivian acts as a caregiver for her sister Jo, and that Malcolm is stressed by the chaos in parliament, but Guillory does not expand upon these descriptions beyond very basic information. Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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