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. Where does Connie teach?

2. Who says, "Break any good necks this weekend?"

3. What does Bill think Jim must have problems with?

4. What kind of car does Jim have?

5. What is the name of the mole that infiltrates British intelligence?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Irina's diary say?

2. What does the memo that Smiley finds addressing J.P. Ribble say?

3. Why does Tarr think should Irina should defect as soon as possible?

4. Why does Lacon apologize to Smiley after he hears about the contents of Irina's diary?

5. Why is Smiley suspicious about Tarr during their conversation in Chapter 9?

6. How does Bill Roach feel about himself as the novel opens?

7. What does Guilliam tell Smiley about how British intelligence operates in his absence?

8. How does Jim react when a stranger comes to Thursgood's?

9. Why does Control stop working with the Circus?

10. Why is the Matron worried about Bill Roach?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characters of Toby and Roy. How are they alike? How are they different? What is their relationship like? How does each one drive the plot? How would the story be different without each one?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of Haydon's death? Why do you think the author decided to kill his character off at the end? What do you think the author wants his reader to take away from his death? How does his death move the story along? Why is it important that Smiley does not know who killed Haydon?

Essay Topic 3

The novel opens and closes with Jim Prideaux teaching at Thursgood's, even though George Smiley is arguably the main character. What do you think framing the story with Jim represents? Why do you think the story opens and closes at the school?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 729 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample