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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. Robbie the son of _________________.

2. What does Robbie do for the Tallis family?

3. Robbie knows he must speak to Cecilia about his feelings before she _________.

4. Where does Briony see Robbie and Cecilia talking?

5. Where does Briony imagine herself to be, as an expert at slashing the nettles in the yard?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Briony want to prepare her play to be seen by others?

2. Where does Briony imagine herself to be?

3. What does Emily think will prevent Cecilia from finding a husband?

4. What is Briony's reaction to her big brother when he approaches her?

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

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

7. What does Lola see through the window of an unused bedroom?

8. What does Briony do when she has finished a piece of writing?

9. Why does Robbie think he should have turned down Leon's invitation to dinner?

10. Why is Lola embarrassed by Marshall?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The men of the story seem to play more of a background role, even though they are an integral part of the action.

Part 1: Describe the role of Leon. Who is he and what does he provide for the story?

Part 2: Describe the character of Paul Marshall. Who is he and what does he bring to the story?

Part 3: Describe the character of Robbie. Who is he and what does he bring to the story?

Essay Topic 2

The tragedy of Briony becomes all the more disturbing when the reader finds out she has an illness at the end of the story.

Part 1: What is the illness of Briony at the end of this book?

Part 2: What does this illness seem to say about the idea of memories?

Part 3: What might this illness be symbolic of within the context of the story? In other words, what might this illness seem to say about the idea of memory and about holding onto one's memories?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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