Maeve Binchy: Dublin 4 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ruth O'Donnel's exhibition

Ruth O'Donnel is Dermot's mistress, and Carmel deliberately organises a dinner party on the same day as her exhibition as she wants to create a party that nobody will forget. We are led to believe that Carmel will confront Dermot about his affair in front of all those present.

Answer: Carmel stood up for him against her father, when her brother and Joe announced their relationship.

Joe Daly feels indebted to Carmel for taking his side when he told his boyfriend's dad about the relationship-it meant his father did not lose his job, and he was never prosecuted for his homosexuality. He says to Carmel, "I'd have had no life if it weren't for you."

Answer: The Post Office

Her family had joked about her working in the Post Office, saying that there would be no excuse if she failed to write home. The Post Office acts as a setting for a couple of scenes in this story, with dialogue between Jo and her new work colleague, Jacinta.

Answer: Punk

There are a couple of examples of this in the story, but perhaps the clearest is, "Pauline was a punk, Jo noted with amazement. She had seen them on O'Connell Street, but hadn't met one close up to talk to." The variety of people Jo meets helps explain her bewilderment in Dublin compared to her home in the country.

Answer: True

After the dilemmas Jo has faced in her first few weeks of being in Dublin, the story ends with her getting to know two policemen, and she makes plans to go out socially. There is definitely an impression that her life is about to improve.

Answer: Australia

Ethna, we are told early on, goes to Australia to be a nun, and although we never meet Ethna, she plays a large role in the story through her letters. She adds an extra dimension to the family.

Answer: Through organising a solidarity campaign for students

We are only told that the campaign is for 'fellow students back home,' which is probably in South America, where Cellina is from. Later on, Rory and Cellina live in Bonn, in Germany.

Answer: Alcoholism

Gerry's release from the nursing home where he had been rehabilitating is the focal point of the story. We are told in the very first paragraph that "you were never cured if you were an alcoholic"-a clue for the ending.

Answer: six weeks

When he was in the nursing home, Gerry had said that he did not want any visitors for the whole six weeks, he needed 'total rest.' Within the six weeks, Gerry had high success in combating the problem-not only did he stay off the drink, but he helped others remain strong also.

Answer: At a wedding

He pleads with Emma to not lecture him, he insists he will only have three or four glasses. Binchy skips his actual drunkeness-we go from hearing that he is sober, to hearing that he sick, the morning after. The warning at the beginning was realised-Gerry was not cured from his addiction.