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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. Why does Mary awaken with a shout early one morning?

2. What does Caroline find "sweet" about Colin?

3. Which of the following is NOT an activity that Mary and Colin engage in in this chapter?

4. Why does Robert idolize his father and grandfather?

5. What does Mary discover when Caroline takes her into her bedroom?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Robert hold Colin's hand as they walk to the bar? What does he tell people about their relationship?

2. How do Mary and Caroline's views on theatre differ? How are they the same?

3. What is Mary's fantasy of "subjection and humiliation" for Colin? What is Colin's fantasy for Mary?

4. Describe the process of Mary realizing that Colin was in the photograph at Robert's apartment

5. Describe the two times that Mary and Colin discuss Robert's photograph of Colin in this chapter. How are they different?

6. How do Mary and Colin's conversations compare to their lovemaking?

7. What does Colin confess to Mary as they are sitting on the beach? How does Mary react?

8. What does Caroline request of Colin? Why?

9. Describe the scene in the ocean involving Mary and Colin.

10. What changes about Colin's appearance in this chapter? How does Robert react to this change? How does Mary react?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While Mary's children never appear in the novel, their influence is felt on the story. In your essay:

1) describe Mary's children and their life circumstances.

2) discuss at least two events where the children play a role in the scene

3) discuss the significance of the children in the scene. What do they represent?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Read the two inscriptions at the beginning of the novel.

Discuss the significance of these quote in reference to the novel. How do they fit (or not fit) the novel? Why do you think Ian McEwan chose these quotes? How do they work together to demonstrate the themes of the novel?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the men and women in this novel. How are the female characters similar/different? How are the male characters similar/different? Then discuss why you think the author presents this variety of male and female characters in the novel. Be sure to cite specific evidence from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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