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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 news does Sue give to Sheba and Barbara?

2. What does Pabblem want Barbara to write about?

3. During the foreword, what does Barbara say that she believes most led to Sheba and Richard's break-up?

4. Why does Sheba cry when teaching her class?

5. For what does Sheba actually seem to feel remorse, as told by Barbara in the foreword?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Barbara think it is ironic that she is agonizing over Sheba's friendship with Sue while Sheba is considering having an affair?

2. In Chapter 6, why does Barbara give the last Friday in March a gold star?

3. Why is Barbara concerned about the living situation that she and Sheba have at the beginning of the book?

4. Describe Steven Connolly's appearance.

5. According to Barbara, what sort of students attend St. George's?

6. Describe Barbara's overall mood throughout Chapter 4.

7. Why does Pabblem wish to see Barbara at the beginning of Chapter 4?

8. Why does Barbara think Sheba is first interested in getting Steven into her pottery class?

9. Describe Barbara's overall attitude towards Pabblem.

10. Describe Sheba's first few weeks at St. George's. How does she interact with the students, and what sort of teacher does she appear to be?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sheba is not only a teacher in "Notes on a Scandal," but is also a lover, a mother, a wife, and a friend. Discuss and evaluate the various roles Sheba plays throughout the novel. How do her actions and beliefs differ in each role? Does she purposely seek out one role over another? Does one role fit her personality better than the others? Cite examples from the novel to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Examine and analyze loneliness as a theme and motivating factor in "Notes on a Scandal."

Essay Topic 3

Socioeconomic class and status are brought up several times throughout "Notes on a Scandal." Barbara, the narrator, appears to be very interested in social class and makes many assumptions about people and their actions based on her knowledge of their social class. Discuss the role of socioeconomic status in "Notes on a Scandal," considering both the actual impact class status has versus the assumed impact.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 912 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample