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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. Where does Jenkins say he is living in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market"?

2. What is one topic of conversation at the dinner in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market"?

3. What is Gypsy's surname?

4. What does Jenkins learn is Widmerpool's first name?

5. What firm does Widmerpool now work for in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Thompsitt ask Jenkins as they leave the dance in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market"? What does Jenkins think Thompsitt has realized?

2. What leads to Deacon's death?

3. What does Barbara do to embarrass herself and Windmerpool at the dance in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market"?

4. Who does Jenkins encounter as he is leaving the party in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market"?

5. In Jenkins' eyes, what makes Eleanor different from the other society girls?

6. What happens on the way to the dance in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market" which confuses Jenkins?

7. Where does Jenkins encounter Widmerpool in Chapter 1 of "A Buyer's Market"? What does he find out about Widmerpool ?

8. When speaking to Widmerpool after the dance, what does Jenkins say he is doing to earn a living? What does Windmerpool think of Jenkins' employment?

9. After the sugar incident, what does Jenkins realize about Barbara?

10. What does Barnby tell Jenkins about Deacon when they meet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are many secondary characters in Powell's work. Analyze and interpret at least five of the secondary characters of the first volume of "A Dance to the Music of Time". How important are they to the protagonist and the plot? What are their defining character traits?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Powell's inspirations for the first volume of "A Dance to the Music of Time". Who are some of the real figures whom the characters are based on? What personality traits do they share? What piece of art is the work as a whole inspired from? What themes do they share?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and interpret the conclusion of the first volume of "A Dance to the Music of Time". What happens at the end of the third novel? Are there any unanswered questions? Why might Powell have chosen to end each of the three novels when he did?

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