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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 does Jim hate about the cigarette Karla gives him?

2. Who is Tinker?

3. What is the name of the publication Jim read for a while?

4. Why is the duty officer fired?

5. What color is all the furniture in the motel room where Smiley and Jim go to talk?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Smiley find it odd that Jim does not back of the Brno mission?

4. How does Smiley figure out who the mole is?

5. How do all the men say goodbye to each other after Haydon is revealed as the mole?

6. Describe the letter Haydon writes to Fanshawe.

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

8. Why does Smiley visit Sam?

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

10. What happens when Jerry tells Toby about the story a man in Prague tells him about Jim?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the theme of paranoia in the novel. Cite two instances where characters show signs of being paranoid. How do they behave as a result? Does their paranoia help protect them from danger? Use examples from the text to support your answers.

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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