View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where did Norris go after leaving Mexico?

2. For which organization does Norris work?

3. With whom does Norris have a strained relationship?

4. Bradshaw learns that Norris had spent time in which place?

5. Norris is very worried about Bradshaw's _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss at least one of the things that occurred when Mr. Norris shows Bradshaw the rest of the apartment. What objects are pointed out?

2. Describe the communiqué received by Bradshaw. What were the contents? Who sent it?

3. What happens the following morning? What information does Bradshaw gather?

4. What information was contained in Norris' last postcard to Bradshaw?

5. What was the result of the upsetting news?

6. Describe the situation between Norris and Bradshaw after the confrontation. Where did the men go together?

7. What action takes place in the beginning of the chapter? Who was involved in the action and what was the result?

8. Describe at least part of the conversation regarding Norris' financial situation.

9. Describe briefly what happened next to Norris.

10. What happens as the night wears on? Who is involved?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several of the characters seemed to be completely oblivious to the political atmosphere in Berlin at the time of the stories. How is it possible to be oblivious to the political scene? Was the scene as volatile as Isherwood makes it out to be? Would it be as easy or more difficult to be as uninformed in today's society? What do you think became of those people that saw themselves as being removed from such issues? Would those people be affected regardless of their knowledge and/or involvement? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Norris, the Baron, van Hoorn, Otto and others were involved in gathering and passing on information to various governments. Write a 750 word essay on this practice and how it might have been instrumental in World War II. Do you think what the men did was illegal? Who would punish them for their actions? What were the punishments? Do you consider the activities patriotism or an act of treason? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

It is obvious that many of the characters in the book are homosexual or bisexual, although that precise word is never used. Why do you think Isherwood made many references to this behavior but avoided using any explicit reference to homosexuality and bisexuality? Cite various passages in the text that show a character's sexuality and discuss how it is referenced by Isherwood. Is Isherwood bisexual or homosexual? How do you know?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 675 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample