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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 Ailsa's last name?

2. What does the person who calls Smiley at the end of Chapter 19 want?

3. What is Guilliam's first name?

4. What is the name of the teacher Jim steals from?

5. How many students take part in the car-club race at the all-boys school?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Smiley memorize cars in his London neighborhood?

2. What does Irina confess to Tarr during their time in Hong Kong?

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

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

5. What makes Bill Roach sick?

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

7. What does Irina's diary say?

8. Why do Guilliam and Smiley keep a secret from Tarr at the end of Chapter 22?

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

10. Why does Smiley think Merlin is in London?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Explore Smiley's dedication to British intelligence. Why do you think he goes back to help the Circus find the mole? Why do you think he goes to back to head the Circus temporarily after the ordeal is over? What does this decision say about him? What do you think will happen when he goes back?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the use of mystery in the novel. What techniques does the author use to create a mystery for his reader? Why do you think the author keeps the identity of the mole a secret from the reader as long as if is unknown to Smiley? Do you notice any clues to the reader about who the mole is?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 762 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample