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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 treats the inspectors in a condescending manner?

2. Who catches Robbie and Cecilia in the library?

3. Who wants to change the menu to cold cuts instead of the original plan for the dinner arrangements?

4. Where does Cecilia believe her sister to be as she is hunting to find her?

5. Who does Emily think might be suitable in terms of marrying Cecilia?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What has happened to Lola, according to Briony?

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

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

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

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

9. Who interrupts Briony as she is trying to write a new story?

10. What is hanging high up in a tree above the three stragglers from the retreating British army?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Emily Tallis is a fascinating creature who evokes pity and anger from readers who "meet" her.

Part 1: Describe the character of Emily Tallis.

Part 2: What do Emily's children think of her as a mother and as a person?

Part 3: Why do you think Emily Tallis suffers from illnesses so much? Is it purely physical or might it be psychological?

Essay Topic 2

The fountain scene between Robbie and Cecilia is one that begins to turn Briony's attention to darker perceptions of the two characters.

Part 1: Describe what actually happens at the fountain between Robbie and Cecilia.

Part 2: Describe what Briony perceives to have happened during this conversation between the two.

Part 3: Why do you think Cecilia reacted in the scene the way she did? What does this seem to say to Briony?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 669 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample