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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. How does Mr. Verloc feel upon returning from his trip taken shortly after his mother-in-law moved into a charity home?

2. Once the Assistant Commissioner arrives at the reported center of the empire, there are several constables who do what upon seeing him departing the vehicle?

3. Once having interviewed Mr. Verloc, what is it that the assistant commissioner quickly stresses to the secretary of state that he learned during his investigation regarding the Greenwich Park bombing?

4. What does Winnie silently promise herself after Stevie's encounter with the cab driver?

5. In Chapter 9, when does Mr. Verloc return from his trip?

Short Essay Questions

1. What name does Mrs. Verloc refer to Ossipon by and why does it excite him?

2. When Ossipon jumps from the moving train and abandons Mrs. Verloc with no funds, what does he tell the railway workers who gather around him?

3. What is the assistant commissioner watching at the conclusion of Chapter 7 and what does he observe?

4. What is the assistant commissioner's primary goal in briefing Sir Ethelred?

5. Shortly after murdering Mr. Verloc, which individual does Winnie encounter in the street offering his assistance, and why is it ironic?

6. Describe what Mrs. Verloc's mother is doing at the start of Chapter 8 and what is motivating her?

7. What three things surprise Mr. Verloc upon his return from his ten days away?

8. Describe what is compared to the sound of an insane clock at the conclusion of Chapter 11?

9. What action does Mr. Verloc take when Mrs. Verloc goes upstairs following her confrontation with him in the kitchen after she learned of Stevie's death?

10. What is the opening scene of Chapter 11once Chief Inspector Heat has departed the Verloc home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Adolf Verloc is found to be a French spy by the second chapter. But it is not until Chapter 6 that the reader learns he has also been an informant for Chief Inspector Heat. By the end of Chapter 5 it is know that the bomb victim was not Heat as thought possible in Chapter 4, but who is it then? Examine how Conrad uses surprise and secrecy throughout his novel.

Essay Topic 2

One of a variety of themes which run through Conrad's novel is social reform and terrorist acts. Examine and compare the different character's views of this topic. Include the members of the International Red Committee, the professor, Chief Inspector Heat, the assistant commissioner, and the secretary of state. Consider how Conrad uses this theme through his novel.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Conrad's tale upon the actual bombing around which it is loosely based. What are the similarities? What are the differences? Did Conrad's work warrant the complaint it received?

(see the answer keys)

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