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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 first arrives to rescue Liz after she has testified at Mundt's trial?

2. After Liz's testimony at Mundt's trial, what does Leamas do?

3. How is Liz transported to the "special meeting" she is told she needs to attend?

4. Who starts shooting at Liz and Leamas?

5. Why did Mundt beat Fiedler during his interrogation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Leamas realize about Mundt at the end of Mundt's trial?

2. What might Liz's disenchantment about the Community Party foreshadow?

3. What does Liz take away from her conversation with the wardeness in Chapter 24?

4. What incriminating piece of evidence does Liz disclose at Mundt's trial?

5. What problem does Liz pose for Leamas when she enters the courtroom during Mundt's trial?

6. Why does Leamas react the way that he does when Fiedler mentions Liz for the first time?

7. Does Liz trust the Communist party? Use at least one example from Chapter 15 to support your answer.

8. What does Leamas' decision on top of the border wall represent?

9. What does Liz think is wrong with the explanation Leamas gives her (as they are fleeing Germany) about what will happen to Fiedler and Mundt?

10. What does Mundt want to know about George Smiley while Mundt is interrogating Leamas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The truth can be hard to find within The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. While finding the truth is part of the plot, it also proves to be a challenge for the reader. Select three "facts" that the reader must assume, at the beginning of the story, are true in order for the rest of the book to be believable. Then show, using specific examples from the text, how those "facts" are later proven to be untrue, and how le Carre exposes their falsity.

Essay Topic 2

The character of Liz Gold plays a pivotal role in the novel. Could it be argued that Liz is also working for the British intelligence service? Citing 3 examples from the text, write an argument that either supports or denies this hypothesis. Make sure to use at lease 3 examples from the text to support your position.

Essay Topic 3

Trust plays a critical role in The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, between characters as well as between the reader and the author. Write about 3 specific instances in the novel where the reader must trust le Carre in order for the story to advance, even though le Carre isn't telling the reader all of the facts. How does this affect the book? How does it affect the relationship between le Carre and the reader? What devices does le Carre utilize to keep the reader's trust even though he is continually hiding the truth?

(see the answer keys)

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