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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 kind of luggage does Nathaniel's mother make a great show of packing?

2. Where does The Moth work?

3. Who is killed protecting Nathaniel and Rachel outside the Bark Theater?

4. What does the man Nathaniel knows as The Darter seem most interested in in his conversations with The Moth?

5. Which literary character does Nathaniel hear might be based on Arthur McCash later in his life?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Olive insist that Rachel and Nathaniel do with her one evening?

2. How does Nathaniel describe Olive Lawrence's personality?

3. What does Nathaniel particularly remember about Olive's temperament from his childhood?

4. What do The Darter and Olive Lawrence eat that is quite unusual on their first dinner date, and why does Olive agree to eat it?

5. What does Arthur McCash tell Nathaniel that startles him when McCash surprises Nathaniel at Victoria Station?

6. How do Nathaniel and Rachel feel about becoming boarders at their new schools after their mother and father leave for Singapore in Chapter 1?

7. What does Nathaniel tell Agnes to try to conceal the truth of his family situation?

8. What does Nathaniel especially remember about his visit to his father's Unilever office?

9. How does The Moth react when Nathaniel and Rachel turn up unexpectedly at the house in London when they should be at school?

10. How does Olive tell Nathaniel she will stay in touch with he and Rachel after she leaves London, and does she make good on her word?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay exploring how The Moth's explanation of the word "schwer" relates to the larger theme of the long, destructive, and lingering effects of war on individuals, families, and nations.

Essay Topic 2

What is Nathaniel's understanding about who killed Rose, and what were that person's reasons for killing her? How does Nathaniel piece together the information surrounding his mother's death, given that the government does not reveal any information to him about what really happened? Write an essay explaining your answer.

Essay Topic 3

How does Nathaniel's work at Britain's classified archives affect his perception of both his country's and his mother's work during and after WWII? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text.

(see the answer keys)

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