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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. How is the beach setting described as at the beginning of this chapter?

2. Why does Mary propose amputating Colin's arms and legs?

3. What does Colin find unusual about Caroline?

4. Why does Mary repeat the story about the photograph to Colin while they are eating breakfast?

5. What does Caroline do to Colin's lips?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mary's reaction to Robert's photograph differ from Colin's?

2. What does Colin say in response to Robert's monologue on gender relations? How does Robert respond to Colin's comment?

3. How do Mary and Colin's conversations compare to their lovemaking?

4. Describe the evolution of the sexual dynamics between Robert and Caroline.

5. What do Robert and Caroline initially do to Colin? How does he prevent this?

6. Describe Mary and Colin's routine for the days following their visit to Robert and Caroline's apartment.

7. What does Colin confess to Mary as they are sitting on the beach? How does Mary react?

8. How does Colin's experience with Robert at the bar compare to Mary's experience with Caroline in the apartment?

9. How do the police react to Mary's statement about Colin's murder? Why?

10. Describe the scene when Mary awakens with a shout in the middle of the night.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout The Comfort of Strangers Ian McEwan foreshadows the tragic final event in the novel. Select three events in the novel that foreshadow this event. Discuss how these events act as foreshadowing and how their significance becomes evident when the final scene occurs.

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

Essay Topic 2

The setting of The Comfort of Strangers strongly influences the plot of the novel. Discuss the role that the setting plays in this novel. Focus on how it influences the choices and actions of the characters. Be sure to cite specific evidence from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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