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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. What does Jim hate about the cigarette Karla gives him?

2. Who demands that their diplomatic status be respected during the bust at the safe house?

3. What method of transportation does Smiley take to see Ann?

4. What color does Max wear when he and Smiley meet?

5. Why is Bill's father threatening to take him out of school?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the letter Haydon writes to Fanshawe.

2. Why does Smiley tell Lacon that it would be unwise to meet at his room in Whitehall?

3. What happens when Jim goes back to Thursgood's?

4. What is the Minister concerned about in Chapter 33?

5. What does Smiley figure out that Karla wanted from Jim?

6. Why does Smiley visit Sam?

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

8. Why does Smiley visit Haydon's girlfriend?

9. How does Smiley confront Haydon and Polyakov?

10. What do Smiley and Guilliam do when they arrive at the safe house in Chapter 36?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the theme of paranoia in the novel. Cite two instances where characters show signs of being paranoid. How do they behave as a result? Does their paranoia help protect them from danger? Use examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of Haydon's death? Why do you think the author decided to kill his character off at the end? What do you think the author wants his reader to take away from his death? How does his death move the story along? Why is it important that Smiley does not know who killed Haydon?

Essay Topic 3

Explore Smiley's willingness to help those who have wronged him. Describe three instances where he does this. What do you think this willingness to help says about him? Do you think he has any ulterior motives when he helps those who have wronged him? Cite examples from the text in your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 677 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample