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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. How does Ann's family refer to the Minister's car?

2. Who has a strangely emotional farewell with Polyakov when leaving the safe house in Chapter 37?

3. Where do Jim and Haydon meet, according to a letter from Haydon?

4. Where in the chapel does Jim hide something?

5. Who does Smiley believe is the mole after hearing his voice?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Haydon say he had an affair with Ann?

2. Why does Smiley visit Haydon's girlfriend?

3. What does Smiley tell Jerry as they part in Chapter 28?

4. Why does Smiley tell Lacon that it would be unwise to meet at his room in Whitehall?

5. Why does Smiley think it is odd that Haydon said he did not know about Jim being shot?

6. What does Mendel report to Smiley when he is watching Circus headquarters in Chapter 35?

7. Why does Smiley go to meet Ann?

8. What happens the first time Haydon and Jim meet?

9. Why does Jim consider fleeing from the school where he works?

10. How does Jim manage to leave the school where he works?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Explore the order Le Carre tells the story in. Why do you think he begins the story in the middle of the narrative? What techniques does he use to switch from the past to the present and back in the story? Cite three examples and explain how he transitions. Is it ever hard to tell if the narrative is in the past or the present? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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