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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 does Noel visit Olivia?

2. Who is the girlfriend of the man in #25?

3. For how long are the man in #25 and his girlfriend going away in Chapter 4?

4. What does the girlfriend find in the pocket of the coat?

5. How does Olivia treat her mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is life like for Penelope's daughter, Nancy?

2. Why do the Lawrence Stern paintings have such an impact on Noel and Nancy?

3. How does the author reveal which one of Penelope's children is closest to her?

4. What is the story of Penelope's parents' relationship?

5. Who is Doris Potter and how does she enter into the lives of Penelope's family?

6. Why is volunteer work during the war not a good choice for Penelope?

7. What is Ambrose's real interest in Penelope?

8. What is the nature of Antonia's phone call to Olivia and how does it change Olivia's plans with Hank?

9. How does Penelope meet Ambrose Keeling?

10. Who is Hank Spotswood?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of the book's title? What are some other possible titles for the book. List at least five and cite your reasons for each.

Essay Topic 2

Greed seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of greed? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the lives of Noel and Nancy? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Olivia. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Olivia?

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