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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. Where do Jim and Haydon meet, according to a letter from Haydon?

2. What does Guilliam do when he arrives at the safe house?

3. What is Steve's last name?

4. What kind of identity does Jim tell Max to get when they are going to work together?

5. Whose voice comes on the duty officer's radio once music stops?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Haydon say he had an affair with Ann?

2. What happens the first time Haydon and Jim meet?

3. How does Smiley confront Haydon and Polyakov?

4. Why does Toby help Smiley?

5. Why does Smiley visit Sam?

6. Why does Smiley think it is odd that Haydon said he did not know about Jim being shot?

7. What does Jim do when he sees Smiley at Thursgood's?

8. What does Jim tell Max about their covers in preparation for their big mission?

9. Why does Smiley tell Sercombe they must stop the negotiations with the Americans about the secret annex on Witchcraft?

10. How do all the men say goodbye to each other after Haydon is revealed as the mole?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore Smiley's dedication to British intelligence. Why do you think he goes back to help the Circus find the mole? Why do you think he goes to back to head the Circus temporarily after the ordeal is over? What does this decision say about him? What do you think will happen when he goes back?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 700 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample