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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 color is the car that Smiley takes to visit Jim?

2. Who says, "I won't have bloodshed. I want absolute calm"?

3. Who says, "I won't be quoted, George."?

4. Who hands Smiley documents at the end of Chapter 25?

5. Who is the letter that Smiley finds from Haydon addressed to?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jim do when he sees Smiley at Thursgood's?

2. Why does Smiley visit Haydon's girlfriend?

3. What is the Minister concerned about in Chapter 33?

4. Why does Smiley visit Sam?

5. What happens when Jim goes back to Thursgood's?

6. Why does Smiley tell Sercombe they must stop the negotiations with the Americans about the secret annex on Witchcraft?

7. Describe the letter Haydon writes to Fanshawe.

8. After Jim is caught, what does he plan to tell his interrogators?

9. What does Smiley figure out that Karla wanted from Jim?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

What role does Peter Guilliam play in the story? How does he help Smiley find the moles? What does it signify that he does everything Smiley tells him to do, including breaching procedures? Do you think it is important that his father was a spy for the British?

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 675 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample