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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 does Briony notice the twins are wearing after they ask to be excused from dinner?

2. How long does Emily lie on the sofa, thinking about everyone else's lives and how they relate to her own feelings?

3. Where does Briony know the twins are not, as they are too frightened to go there?

4. Where does Briony head in order to find the twins, musing about taking final responsibility for animal and child?

5. What is Robbie afraid Briony is going to mention at the dinner table?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where does Cecilia run off to in order to be free of her mother?

3. What has been haunting Emily lately?

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

5. How does Cecilia react to Robbie's apology to her about the note?

6. Why is Briony the one who is left with the adults to tell the story?

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

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

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

10. Why do the probationers live in constant fear of Sister Marjorie Drummond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lies seem to be pervasive in this story, but they seem to be taken as truths or at least ignored for the sake of those involved.

Part 1: What is the lie that Mr. Tallis tells again and again?

Part 2: Why does Emily believe her husband's stories, or at least, why does she live with the lies?

Part 3: What are other lies that are told in this story, other than the one Briony tells about Robbie and Lola? What do these lies do to the characters and to the action of the story?

Essay Topic 2

The ending of Atonement is one that can be confusing to the reader, as Briony is the one telling the tale.

Part 1: What are the two endings to the story of Atonement?

Part 2: Which ending seems to be "real" in terms of the storytelling? Which one is more believable?

Part 3: What do you think happens to Cecilia and Robbie at the end of this story?

Essay Topic 3

One of the biggest themes in this manuscript is the idea of reality vs. fantasy. Briony's perspective not only yields a delightful narrative, but also disastrous consequences for other characters.

Part 1: In what way is Briony's storytelling helpful to the characters in the story?

Part 2: In what way is Briony's perspective hurtful to the characters?

Part 3: Is Briony a reliable narrator? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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