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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. Who is no longer the horsy sister, according to Robbie and his daydreams?

2. What is happening with Briony's cousins that causes them to come to stay with her family for the time being?

3. Who does Emily think will be hindered in her search for a husband because of her education level?

4. What kind of writer does Briony become at this point?

5. Whose passing into adulthood is Emily mourning in this section of the book?

Short Essay Questions

1. What has fallen into disrepair, according to the narrative in this section?

2. Why is Briony relieved when everyone leaves her alone in the nursery?

3. What does Briony realize to be one of the strengths of writing for drama?

4. What is Robbie thinking of as he soaks in a bathtub?

5. What does Briony think she should have done for her brother, Leon's, return?

6. What does Lola ask of Marshall in as grown-up a manner as she can muster?

7. What does Briony imagine is happening when she sees Robbie and Cecilia are out at the fountain?

8. Describe the state of Cecilia at the beginning of this section.

9. Who does Emily trust to take care of things around the house while she tries to rest?

10. What causes Cecilia to stop fixing the vase?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The growing up of Briony plays into the overall plot of the story, showing the reader that while she might want to grow up, she isn't quite ready for that adult world.

Part 1: List at least three things that Briony does that shows her immaturity.

Part 2: List at least three things that Briony does that demonstrate that she is growing up in the first part of the book.

Part 3: Has Briony grown up in the second part of the book? Or is she still childish in her interactions and her reactions to Cecilia?

Essay Topic 2

The letter from Robbie to Cecilia sets off a chain of events in many respects. The importance of this letter cannot be denied.

Part 1: Why does Robbie write this letter in the first place? What is he trying to achieve?

Part 2: Why does Robbie decide to write another letter that is less crude? Why would he have been so crude in the first place?

Part 3: Why is Cecilia not bothered by the crudeness of the letter she does receive? What does this say about her?

Essay Topic 3

The idea of atonement is not a surprising theme, given the title of the book.

Part 1: Who is the character that decides he/she needs to atone for his/her sins?

Part 2: Why does this character feel the way he/she does?

Part 3: Do you think this character is genuine in his/her desire to make things right? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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