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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. What is Sophie's advice to Penelope regarding Ambrose?

2. What news does Penelope recall hearing while on this holiday?

3. What is most important to Nancy?

4. Why does Noel visit Olivia?

5. What does Lawrence ask Sophie to take back to London?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Noel exhibit such callous behavior toward his mother?

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

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

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

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

6. What prompts Penelope to volunteer during the war?

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

8. What are some of the major differences between Olivia and Nancy?

9. What is Nancy's relationship with Penelope?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

THE SHELL SEEKERS is a classic story of loss and renewal. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

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?

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