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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 Sheba first accuse Barbara of doing when she finds the manuscript?

2. What does Pabblem tell Barbara to do at the end of Chapter 15?

3. In Chapter 10, in what way does Barbara acknowledge her friendship with Sheba as being different than her past relationships?

4. Why is Richard angry when Sheba returns from Steven's at the end of Chapter 14?

5. What does Barbara find in Sheba's purse?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the mood when Sheba goes to Steven's house.

2. Describe Marjorie and Dave's attitudes towards Sheba.

3. In what way does Barbara believe her relationship to Sheba is similar to a marriage?

4. What does Polly's guidance counselor say is the cause of her behavior, and how does Barbara feel about that diagnosis?

5. Why are Sheba's remarks about Richard's feelings towards Barbara so hurtful?

6. What lesson does Sheba relate to Barbara that she learned from her mother about parenting?

7. Describe the confrontation between Sheba, Richard, and Mrs. Connelly in Chapter 15.

8. Why, do you think, is Barbara's manuscript such a shock for Sheba?

9. What advice does Barbara give to Sheba when Sheba is hysterical over being called into Pabblem's office at the beginning of Chapter 15? Why does she give this advice?

10. Why is Barbara so upset with Sheba at the end of Chapter 12 when Sheba leaves to go see Steven?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Whose story is "Notes on a Scandal?" Is it Sheba's, or Barbara's? Use details from the text to support your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

What role does revenge play in "Notes on a Scandal"? Consider the different characters in the novel. Who is acting out of revenge, and for what?

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.

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