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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. Where does Caroline say that Mary and Colin's clothes are?

2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the main setting of this chapter?

3. What causes Mary and Colin to begin telling Robert about themselves?

4. Why do Mary and Colin leave their hotel room after making love?

5. What is Robert's opinion of Italian feminists?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mary react to Colin when he wears the dressing gown? How is this different from his own reaction?

2. How does Mary and Colin's relationship with the hotel maid change over the course of their vacation?

3. How does Robert's father react to him soiling his study? How does this make Robert feel?

4. Describe the event that led Robert's sisters to despise him.

5. Describe the setting of the first chapter

6. What are Mary and Colin looking for as they journey through the city? Why?

7. How does Caroline define being "in love" with someone? How does the definition of love differ for men and women according to Caroline?

8. What does Mary notice about Colin's body as he lays sleeping in Robert and Caroline's apartment?

9. Describe Colin and Mary's nightly ritual (in the hotel room) before leaving for dinner

10. Describe the notebook Mary keeps as a thirteen-year-old. Why is her mind drawn to this memory while vacationing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the themes in this novel is the concept of gender roles. Discuss the ways that this theme plays out in the novel and the overarching message about gender that the author is trying to make. Be sure to cite specific evidence from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

The sexual brutality in this novel is shocking and disturbing to readers. In your essay discuss the significance of McEwan's choice to include it in the story. What does sexual brutality bring to the story? Why is it important? Why do you think McEwan chose to include it in the story line?

Essay Topic 3

The Comfort of Strangers presents two very different visions of romantic relationships. In your essay, compare and contrast the two couples in the novel focusing on:

1) the dynamics of their relationship

2) their ideals about love

3) their ideals about relationships between men and women.

Be sure to cite specific evidence from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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