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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 do the people do after the service Birkin attends on Sunday nights?

2. What characterizes the damned souls in the original painting?

3. Which of the following is not part of Birkin's daily routine during the summer in Oxgodby?

4. Who leads the worship service in the church where Birkin is working?

5. What does Birkin realize after thinking about the part of the painting that is incomplete?

Short Essay Questions

1. What suggestion does Kathy make after asking Birkin if he has thought about staying in Oxgodby? How does he respond?

2. Why does Birkin go to preach at Barton Ferry? What does he talk about from the pulpit?

3. Describe how Birkin feels the last time he views the painting?

4. Who meets Birkin at the door when he arrives in Barton Ferry and who else shows up for the service?

5. Describe Birkin's ride home from Barton Ferry.

6. How does Moon respond when Birkin tells him that Keach has told him that he is finished with the painting?

7. What does Birkin do when Alice is not in church? What conclusion does he come to regarding her whereabouts?

8. Why do Birkin and the Ellerbecks go to Ripon and are they successful in meeting their goal?

9. What is the relationship like between Birkin and his wife?

10. Describe the portrayal of the man who Birkin thinks might be a portrait.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The entire novel revolves around the work that Birkin is doing on the painting. Write an essay exploring the roles of the painting. Why is it so important? How does it affect the people that see it?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay examining how setting influences the characters in the novel. How are the characters connected to the world outside of Oxgodby?

Essay Topic 3

When Birkin first gets to Oxgodby, the painting is completely hidden. By the time he leaves, he has uncovered the entire work. Write an essay examining the idea of hiding and revealing in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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