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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 does Stephen wonder if he did too soon with Julie?

2. Who does Stephen see in the window at the pub?

3. What does Julie leave Stephen regarding Chilterns?

4. Whose meeting does Stephen attend on Reading and Writing?

5. What does a speaker at the committee say is difficult for children to learn?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Julie deal with the loss of Kate by the end of Chapter 1?

2. What is Stephen's memory about bicycles that he wants to remember with his family, and why does it bring about some fear and regret in him?

3. How is Kate attired the day she is missing?

4. Why did Stephen take Kate to the market alone?

5. How did Thelma help Stephen during his struggle with Kate's disappearance?

6. What fear do the police instill in Stephen by mentioning the docks?

7. What does Julie do that makes Stephen angry with Julie?

8. What makes Stephen feel like a prosperous dad at the market?

9. How does Hashish become Lemonade?

10. What is Stephen hopeful for as he waits for Julie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Certain relationships create a good foundation for the story. When Stephen asks his parents about his bicycle memory by the sea, they all interact in a very convincing manner.

Describe why this relationship is believable.

Essay Topic 2

Julie and Stephen are two of the most active characters.

Part 1) What is their relationship? How do they co-exist and how do they interact? What is similar about them and what is different?

Part 2) What are some events that Julie had a direct influence upon? What are some events that Stephen had a direct influence upon?

Part 3) Which character offers support to the group? Which one is stronger, and why?

Essay Topic 3

Politics are also referred to in the book. McEwan refers to the politics of the society of The Child In Time during 1987 when Thatcher was in power. How does the politics Ian describes in the book compare to that of his own world? Do you think politics are an important part of the book? How else could McEwan incorporate politics into the book? Also examine the use of politics in relationships.

(see the answer keys)

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