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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 invites Stephen to her house on Eaton Square after the resignation?

2. Where is the meeting held that Stephen attends on Reading and Writing?

3. How is Kate lost?

4. When Stephen is worried that Kate might come when he is gone, what does his friend leave behind to comfort him?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Stephen's first novel originally about before it becomes a children's book?

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

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

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

6. What is important to Lord Parmenter in meetings?

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

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

9. How did Charles make the move into politics?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the significance of the novel's title. What did the author mean by calling the book The Child In Time? Cite an example to support your answer.

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

Describe some of the settings for The Child In Time. What is the overall setting? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did McEwan choose to use these places in The Child In Time?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 711 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample