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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 does Ashe introduce Leamas to in Chapter 7?

2. What does Leamas believe Ashe to be?

3. What is Liz Gold's relationship to Leamas when they first meet?

4. Why is Leamas wanted in England?

5. What does Liz do while Leamas is in prison?

Short Essay Questions

1. Name 3 things you learn about Leamas' life in Chapter 8.

2. What does Leamas think about his career on his flight to London to meet with Control?

3. What does Leamas' political philosophy (or lack thereof) symbolize?

4. In Chapter 5, why does Leamas tell Liz to leave and never come back?

5. Name 3 things you learn about Leamas in Chapter 1.

6. What logistics does Kiever have covered at the end of Chapter 7?

7. What reaction does Liz have to George Smiley's visit?

8. Using at least 3 adjectives, describe the overall tone of Chapter 1.

9. What helps Leamas the most in his creation of a public persona in Chapter 3? How does it help him?

10. When Leamas and Liz first meet, is Leamas interested or disinterested in Liz? Given an example from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The reader's discovery of the actual plot that Leamas has been involved in dramatically changes the how the reader views what has happened in the novel up to that point. Discuss the dangers and benefits of having a very large, plot-altering secret come out at the end of a story. What are the pros? What are the cons? How does having such a secret exposed affect the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Leamas' final choice at the end of the novel can be seen as a bit controversial. Write a 2-3 page paper, using evidence from the text, arguing that Leamas' choice was not surprising based on what you know about his character. Then, write a 2-3 page paper, using evidence from the text, aruging that Leamas' choice was completely surprising based on what you know about his character.

Essay Topic 3

Violence plays a very significant role in a major turning point in the text, when Leamas is attacked, bound, and presented to Mundt. Write an essay discussing the use of violence in The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. What could have been accomplished without the use of violence? What could not have been accomplished if all violence was eliminated? Make sure to use examples from the text to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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