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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. According to James, why did he leave Claire in the first place?

2. Why is the person in #110 upset?

3. How does Helen feel about Claire's going back to James?

4. What does Helen do when she seed Claire and Adam about to kiss?

5. Why does Claire tell James to go back to his hotel?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Claire respond to James' phone calls when she returns to her parents' home?

2. How does James undermine Claire's decision to return to him?

3. How does James try to make Claire jealous?

4. What is the nature of Claire and Adam's relationship as the novel ends?

5. What does Claire think about as she anticipates James' upcoming telephone call?

6. How does Claire consider Kate's needs as she tries to realign her life?

7. What do Claire's mother and sister do to help bolster her confidence prior to her call with James?

8. What does Claire learn about James from her friend, Judy?

9. What is Claire's overall demeanor when James arrives at her parents' home?

10. What does Adam share about his ex-girlfriend and daughter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the role of women in Ireland in the 1990s when the women in the novel are living their lives. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century women do not have?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the role of the family in WATERMELON. What does it mean for each of the main characters? How does the family evolve in its support of each other? How typical is this family to most Irish families living during the 1990s?

Essay Topic 3

Both Claire and Laura enter into relationships with men who are younger than they are. What was the initial attraction for both couples? What are some of the benefits they experience in their relationships? What are some of the drawbacks? Why are these types of relationships more acceptable today than they were 20 or 30 years ago? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,146 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample