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. What is the name of the man who notices discrepancies regarding Merlin?

2. Who says, "Tarr has not lied to us, Peter. Not in any material way."?

3. How many students take part in the car-club race at the all-boys school?

4. What does Smiley see in his house that lets him know Guilliam is there?

5. What song does Bill hear being sung as he passes the church in Chapter 24?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the form that Alleline makes Guilliam sign?

2. Describe the reports that Alleline turns in that secure his job as the head of the Circus.

3. What tasks does Guilliam perform for Smiley at Brixton?

4. Why does Tarr become angry and lunge at Smiley?

5. Why is the Matron worried about Bill Roach?

6. Why does Lacon apologize to Smiley after he hears about the contents of Irina's diary?

7. Why do Guilliam and Smiley keep a secret from Tarr at the end of Chapter 22?

8. What does Smiley discover in nine reports that Guilliam brings him?

9. What does Irina's diary say?

10. What does Smiley discover about Toby when studying the Operation Witchcraft financial figures?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the character Jerry. How does the author portray Jerry? How does the narrator characterize him? How does Jerry interact with Smiley? What new information does his conversation with Smiley reveal? How does he help to move the story's plot along? Do you think his job as a journalist is significant? Why or why not? Use examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Explore the use of names, nicknames, and code names in the novel. Cite three names where names play a large role in the novel and explain what the names might represent based on your reading of the text.

Essay Topic 3

Explore the use of mystery in the novel. What techniques does the author use to create a mystery for his reader? Why do you think the author keeps the identity of the mole a secret from the reader as long as if is unknown to Smiley? Do you notice any clues to the reader about who the mole is?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 796 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample