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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 the woman that strikes fear into the hearts of all the probationary nurses and staff?

2. Who says to Cecilia that they want to be in Briony's play and that is why they are upset?

3. What are each of the twins holding as they are crying, perhaps a symbol of their broken family?

4. How many stragglers have reached a bombed out house in order to figure out a shortcut to the sea in the beginning of this chapter?

5. Who gathers the produce for the cold salad in order to compromise between Betty's and Emily's ideas for dinner?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Briony decide about the letter that Robbie has written to Cecilia?

2. What does Emily think about the disappearance of the twins?

3. What is Lola's response to the letter that Robbie has written for Cecilia, as told to her by Briony?

4. What does Leon have to say about England in hot weather?

5. What does Emily think her husband will do soon?

6. Who enters the library and catches Robbie and Cecilia?

7. What is Jack's response to the disappearance of the twins?

8. How does Briony reveal her true self within this section?

9. What is Cecilia doing in response to the attack?

10. Who are the three stragglers that are moving toward a bombed out house as they attempt to find a shortcut to the sea?

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 theme of imagination is one that plays out throughout this story. Many characters have dreams, while others take everyday events and turn them into fantastic stories.

Part 1: Does the introduction of imagination cause this story to be believable? In other words, can the reader trust everything he/she reads?

Part 2: Does imagination seem to create positive results or negative results? Or both?

Part 3: Describe one scene in which imagination plays a central role. What is the outcome of this situation?

Essay Topic 3

The idea of a letter becomes an important plot point at several times in this story.

Part 1: List three instances in which a letter delivers an important message.

Part 2: Are there any instances in which a letter is used for a positive purpose? What are they?

Part 3: In today's times, could these messages be delivered by e-mail? Or is the structure of the letter crucial to its value and its worth? Does the actual format of the letter add to the meaning?

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