View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Olivia treat her mother?

2. What is the name of the magazine on which Olivia works?

3. With what organization does Penelope volunteer during the war?

4. Where does Penelope go to find her father?

5. How valuable are Lawrence Stern's sketches?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Antonia's stay with Penelope mutually beneficial?

3. What is the flashback Penelope has to when she was nineteen?

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

5. What is Noel's real purpose for visiting his mother's house?

6. How is Olivia's view of the Lawrence Stern paintings different from how Olivia views them?

7. What prompts Penelope to volunteer during the war?

8. How is Noel like his sister, Nancy?

9. What is the irony of Olivia's life as opposed to those of her brother and sister?

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

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of disappointment. Identify at least two characters who either embody or experience disappointment then cite an example to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 791 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample