With reference to modern English novels, which of the following statements about "An Affair Downstairs", "White Teeth" and "Atonement" are correct?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests detailed knowledge of contemporary English language novels and their authors through three factual statements. The titles mentioned are "An Affair Downstairs", "White Teeth" and "Atonement". Candidates must know which author wrote each novel and then determine whether the statements are correct. Such questions reward careful reading habits and familiarity with modern fiction often discussed in literature courses and general knowledge material.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Statement 1: The author of the novel "An Affair Downstairs" is Sherri Browning.
• Statement 2: The author of the novel "White Teeth" is Zadie Smith.
• Statement 3: The author of the novel "Atonement" is Ian McEwan.
• The question asks which statements are correct.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is straightforward factual checking. Each novel must be matched with its author. "An Affair Downstairs" is indeed by Sherri Browning, a writer of historical romance fiction. "White Teeth" is the acclaimed debut novel of British author Zadie Smith. "Atonement" is a widely known novel by Ian McEwan, later adapted into an award winning film. Since all three statements correctly pair titles with authors, all of them are correct and the answer should reflect that all statements 1, 2 and 3 are right.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Evaluate statement 1. Sherri Browning is known for historical romance, and "An Affair Downstairs" is one of her novels. Therefore statement 1 is correct. Step 2: Evaluate statement 2. Zadie Smith rose to fame with her debut novel "White Teeth", which explores multicultural life in London. Statement 2 correctly identifies her as the author. Step 3: Evaluate statement 3. Ian McEwan is a leading British novelist and wrote "Atonement", a complex narrative about guilt, memory and war. Statement 3 is also correct. Step 4: Since statements 1, 2 and 3 are all correct, we need the option that includes all three. Step 5: Option D lists "1, 2 and 3", which matches our analysis. Step 6: Therefore, the correct answer is option D.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification involves recalling basic literary knowledge. "White Teeth" and "Atonement" are frequently mentioned in reading lists and awards discussions, always with Zadie Smith and Ian McEwan credited respectively. Sherri Browning's "An Affair Downstairs" appears in catalogues of historical romance novels. None of these titles are usually attributed to any other writers in credible sources. By cross referencing mental images of book covers, library shelves or online catalogues, candidates can confirm that each statement corresponds accurately to its author, supporting the conclusion that all three statements are correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A claims that only statements 1 and 2 are correct, which wrongly excludes statement 3, even though Ian McEwan did write "Atonement". Option B includes 2 and 3 but omits 1, ignoring the correct attribution of "An Affair Downstairs" to Sherri Browning. Option C includes 1 and 3, leaving out the true fact about Zadie Smith and "White Teeth". Only option D properly reflects that all three statements are accurate, so the other options are incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is partial familiarity with the more famous titles. Some candidates know that Zadie Smith wrote "White Teeth" and Ian McEwan wrote "Atonement", but are unsure about Sherri Browning and "An Affair Downstairs" and therefore assume statement 1 is wrong. Others may distrust options that include all statements, thinking that examiners rarely make every statement correct. The best strategy is to treat each statement independently and rely on factual recall rather than exam pattern assumptions. This calm, statement by statement checking leads to the right answer more reliably.

Final Answer:
1, 2 and 3