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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 is Aleks?

2. Who is Irina's common-law husband?

3. Why does Bland take a desk job in London?

4. Who does Haydon say has sold out to Karla?

5. How many people are on the Soviet plane that leaves Hong Kong?

Short Essay Questions

1. What tasks does Guilliam perform for Smiley at Brixton?

2. Why does Haydon tell Smiley to cut himself off from Control?

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

4. What is the form that Alleline makes Guilliam sign?

5. What does Guilliam learn about the annexes during his run at the archives?

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

7. How is Connie able to help Smiley?

8. What does Irina's diary say?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does Karla play in the story? Do you think he is the true villain of the story? Why or why not? How do people talk about him? Why is it important that he never actually appears in present time line of the story, and he is only referred to in the recollections of others?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Look at the character Jerry. How does the author portray Jerry? How does the narrator characterize him? How does Jerry interact with Smiley? What new information does his conversation with Smiley reveal? How does he help to move the story's plot along? Do you think his job as a journalist is significant? Why or why not? Use examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 736 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample