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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. In what language are the words "the waiting room" when Nicholas stumbles across the sign?

2. How does Nicholas respond to Alison's emotional reaction?

3. How does Conchis say the young woman who will be joining him and Nicholas should be treated?

4. How does Nicholas fill his time after he is cured from his disease?

5. What job is Alison training for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Nicholas say that he will not be able to have sex with her and how does she decide to handle this news?

2. As Nicholas and Conchis are walking back to the house and pass the Poseidon statue, what does Lily admit to Nicholas?

3. While Nicholas is walking back to the school after his weekend with Conchis, what does he feel as though he entered?

4. How does Nicholas feel about the boys and his colleagues at the school?

5. How does Alison respond to Nicholas and what realization does he come to after receiving her response?

6. What discovery did Conchis describe in relation to Lily and where did he believe those feelings came from?

7. What happens when Nicholas tells Conchis that he believes he contracted syphilis?

8. How did Conchis describe his time in Word War II and how it affected him?

9. What information does Conchis volunteer to Nicholas?

10. What realization does Nicholas come to in regard to Alison and then about himself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you believe the author referred to the villa as "the waiting room?" Do you believe it is an accurate term? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Why do you think so many men fell for Conchis' ploys? Do you think this could happen in real-life? Do you think people are that gullible? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the theme of NIcholas' transformation from the beginning of the novel through the end? Would you describe him at the end as being as selfish, overly indulgent and lazy as he was at the beginning?

(see the answer keys)

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