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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 was the stuffed animal toy that Kate held the day she disappeared?

2. On whom does Stephen compile research for his theories about Kate's disappearance?

3. After the incident with Kate's possessions, what does Julie do?

4. What does Stephen receive for his first book as encouragement to change the genre?

5. Who does Julie ignore after Kate's disappearance?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the young girl in yellow at the station interact with Stephen?

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

3. What does Stephen see at The Bell, and how does it affect him?

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

5. Why are Stephen and Julie still at odds even after having sex?

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

7. When Julie came back from Chilterns, why were she and Stephen only able to stay together briefly?

8. How did Charles make the move into politics?

9. How does Stephen view the sex that he had with Julie in the months afterward?

10. What is important to Lord Parmenter in meetings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Child In Time is written primarily in the third-person point of view. Is this point of view more or less effective than telling the story from the first-person perspective?

Essay Topic 2

One of the main themes in the book is ethical and social responsibility. List at least four examples where McEwan employs this specific theme. Is the battle between making ethical choices obvious or subtle? What characters are involved in this kind of battle? Do you think the right person or group won? Does good always triumph over evil in the case of The Child In Time ethics?

Essay Topic 3

McEwan uses more than one iteration on the theme of disappointment. Identify at least two characters who either embody or experience disappointment then cite an example to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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