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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. Which color does Ruby say is "the color of memory"?

2. Who does Ruby believe is her mother's favorite child?

3. Where does Lillian first live after leaving England?

4. What nationality is the male owner of the farmhouse where the Lennoxes and Ropers stay?

5. What part of Edmund is wounded?

Short Essay Questions

1. What memory of Lawrence's is revealed in Footnote (xii)?

2. Why does Bunty abandon the ironing so suddenly the night of the fire?

3. What does Bunty come into the shop with at the beginning of Chapter Ten?

4. Describe Patricia as she is in 1964.

5. What is different about the birthday party Ruby has in Chapter Eight?

6. What does the Lennox-Roper group do at the Bottomless Loch?

7. Why does Tom laugh when his hand is blown off?

8. What happens on Mothering Sunday?

9. What is Ruby's "reward" for her morning minding the pet Shop by herself?

10. How does Ruby discover she had a twin sister?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the similarities among the four generations o the women of Ruby's family? How are they portrayed?

Essay Topic 2

How does Atkinson use secrets to develop her story? What commentary is she making?

Essay Topic 3

One of the themes in "Behind the Scenes at the Museum" is the loss of children. Using at least three examples, discuss how Atkinson develops this theme throughout the story and its impact on the characters involved.

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