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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. Who tells Penelope about the atrocities happening to Jews in Germany?

2. What is Olivia's job at the magazine?

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

4. Whose visit to the villa upsets Olivia's view of Cosmo?

5. What type of car does the man in #25 drive?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe the pretentious lifestyle that Nancy and her husband have.

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

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

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

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

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

10. Who is Danus Muirfield?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Ambrose and Robert. Both men want influence over Penelope but have their hold on her in very different ways. Why are their differences classic examples of conflict in literature? What other similarities and dissimilarities are there between the two characters?

Essay Topic 2

The author uses more than one instance of irony in the book. Cite at least two other examples you can identify in the book and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the ongoing conflict between Noel and Nancy and their mother. What are the main sources of the conflict? Why does it perpetuate? What does Penelope learn about the reality of her life with her children as opposed to the perceptions she has held for so long?

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This section contains 958 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample