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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. Denise believes that Marianne lacks what quality?

2. Connell's grandmother is the same age as whom?

3. Rooney uses a simile involving what object to describe Marianne's posture after Connell's post-kiss departure?

4. In the summer of 2011, Marianne's routine includes taking what action when she awakens?

5. Connell's grandmother tells him that she has heard that he is going to attend a college in what location?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the physical differences between Lorraine and Connell?

2. How does Alan react when Marianne refuses to speak to Connell on the phone?

3. Who is Miss Neary?

4. What are the conditions under which Connell tells Marianne that he loves her?

5. Characterize Marianne's view of high school.

6. What had Connell's sexual experiences been like prior to meeting Marianne?

7. What plan had Connell had in place for when he encountered Marianne again and what is its result?

8. To what action of Rob's does Connell object and why?

9. What story is continually told about Marianne during her high school years?

10. What advice does Marianne give Connell about college?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do the themes of deception and secrecy function within Normal People and what is Rooney’s message regarding these themes?

Essay Topic 2

Sensory details are used frequently by Rooney in order to create vivid pictures of each character's progression through the narrative of Normal People. Choose three scenes in which sensory details are heavily used and discuss how the sensory details used serve Rooney’s creation of vivid characters to populate the narrative.

Essay Topic 3

What is the function of Jamie's character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by Rooney in depicting Jamie and include in your discussion the reasons that Rooney portrays Jamie in these particular ways.

(see the answer keys)

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