View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is pacing from room to room with a cigarette and wringing a handkerchief?

2. When did Emily's illnesses and her stillness begin in her life?

3. Who does the answer to #151 say that she saw?

4. Who is Emily reluctant to deal with in the beginning of this section, after the group realizes the twins have run away?

5. What does Briony think she sees through the windows?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. When Cecilia puts on the pink dress, who does she think she looks like?

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

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

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

6. What has been haunting Emily lately?

7. How does Briony escape Cecelia's questioning?

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

9. Why is Betty furious with Emily?

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

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

The character of Cecilia is one that seems a bit complicated to the reader and to the actual story's movement.

Part 1: Describe the character of Cecilia.

Part 2: Is Cecilia as grown up as she seems to be? Why or why not? Does Cecilia feel she is the adult everyone believes her to be?

Part 3: How is Cecilia affected by the loss of Robbie and by the story of Briony?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 674 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample