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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 does Mother Francis believe gives her the answer to her prayer for dealing with Mother Clare?

2. Why does Mother Francis tell Benny to call her father instead of Annabel?

3. What does Nan tell her father she was afraid of his doing if he came to the hospital?

4. What does Benny overhear in the ladies' room?

5. Why is Nan happy about the location for the dance?

Short Essay Questions

1. Detail what portends a future problem in the novel.

2. What does Benny learn about how Eve has lived all these years that Benny has pitied her?

3. How do Benny and Annabel discuss Eve?

4. What is Nan's activity at the dance?

5. Why is Nan not really interested in the boys from school?

6. What is significant about Jack's breaking off with Shirley?

7. Describe the meeting of Jack, Benny, and Nan at the hospital.

8. How is Eve's character established early on in the novel?

9. Explain the invention of Eve and Benny they use to sort out their problems.

10. Describe the problem arising over Eve's future education.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on Heather as Hope for the Future. Binchy uses the child Heather to take aim at religious prejudice. (1) Show how Heather is unaffected by the Protestant/Catholic labels as she develops a relationship with Eve; (2) Discuss how Heather adapts to Mother Francis' school in preference to the boarding school in Dublin; (3) Mention Heather's enjoyment and excitement over being in the Easter pageant at St. Mary's. Evaluate how well Binchy is saying that people of all religions can live comfortably together.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on Empathy. Mother Francis is the most empathetic character in the novel. Discuss in your essay the different ways she deals with Eve, Kit, and Heather. Conclude with an evaluation of empathizing with people's particular problems.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on My Recommendation for Circle of Friends. In your essay that either recommends the novel or not, be specific in your reasons. Deal with (1) the plot line and sub plots; (2) the development of the characters; and (3) the use of complications. After analyzing the story, put your recommendation at the end of the essay.

(see the answer keys)

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