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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 Bill's last name?

2. Who says, "Babies can bite."?

3. Who does Jim have tracing Mendel's steps?

4. Whom does Guilliam tell everything he has learned at Brixton at the end of Chapter 11?

5. What are the documents regarding that Guilliam is looking for in Chapter 20?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the Matron worried about Bill Roach?

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

3. Why does Tarr become angry and lunge at Smiley?

4. How does Smiley first meet Karla?

5. What makes Bill Roach sick?

6. Why does Smiley think Merlin is in London?

7. Why does Alleline want to know if Guilliam has met with Tarr?

8. Why does Lacon become upset with Smiley in Chapter 15?

9. What does Smiley discover about Toby when studying the Operation Witchcraft financial figures?

10. Why does Tarr believe that Boris is a professional agent and not a trade delegate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of all the interviews Smiley does? Why is it important that he must rely on recollections of others to solve his mystery? Cite three instances where Smiley must rely on interviews for information and tell how each one is significant and how each drives the plot.

Essay Topic 2

What role does Connie Sachs play in the story? What purpose does she serve? How does she help move the narrative of the story along? Why do you think Smiley puts so much trust in her? How do you think the story would be different without her?

Essay Topic 3

Explore Smiley's willingness to help those who have wronged him. Describe three instances where he does this. What do you think this willingness to help says about him? Do you think he has any ulterior motives when he helps those who have wronged him? Cite examples from the text in your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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