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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. Why doesn't Robert's father allow him to eat chocolate?

2. Why do Mary and Colin go to the hospital?

3. In Robert's opinion, what about the English language makes it beautiful?

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

5. What position did Robert's father hold in London?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is unusual about Robert's interactions with Mary and Colin in this chapter?

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

3. Describe the scene involving the older tourists that Colin observes from his balcony. How does the version of the story Colin tells Mary differ from the actual situation?

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

5. Describe Robert's first meeting with Caroline.

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

7. Where does Robert take Mary and Colin to eat? Describe this setting.

8. What is the significance of the smell of cologne for Robert? Why?

9. What does Mary tell Colin she dreams about during their daily naps?

10. Why does Caroline lock Mary and Colin's clothes in a cabinet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Select the most sympathetic and least sympathetic characters in the novel. Write an essay:

1) describing why you think each is sympathetic/not sympathetic

2) defend your position using details from the novel

Essay Topic 2

Throughout The Comfort of Strangers the author explores what it means to be a stranger. Discuss how characters in this novel are strangers focusing on what makes them strangers. Then discuss the author's view of the stranger. Is it better to be a stranger or to not be a stranger, according to McEwan? Why?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

While Mary's children never appear in the novel, their influence is felt on the story. In your essay:

1) describe Mary's children and their life circumstances.

2) discuss at least two events where the children play a role in the scene

3) discuss the significance of the children in the scene. What do they represent?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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