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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 the first section of the novel, where is the protagonist with his girlfriend, Kathleen?

2. Some time later, what does the protagonist recall for what the same man is pleading?

3. The title of the novel refers to what type of accident?

4. What does he want to do?

5. What happens as Kathleen and her boyfriend attempt to eat a hamburger?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the protagonist react to the stranger's honesty?

2. Of what does this insatiable feeling remind him?

3. Describe the details of the accident.

4. To what does the title refer?

5. Why does the protagonist believe his grandmother is outside his room?

6. How does the scene end?

7. What memory does he then recall?

8. After his memory, what does he have a strong desire to do?

9. Describe the scene between the protagonist and the stranger.

10. What happens when Kathleen tries to talk to the protagonist?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When, in section 2, Kathleen and the protagonist meet for the first time, the protagonist says, "But we already know each other."

Part 1) In what way do they know each other?

Part 2) How do they feed off of each other's needs? What does this do to their relationship?

Part 3) What does the protagonist realize about this relationship? What does he plan to do? Does he do it? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The novel ends with the main character crying.

Part 1) For what is he shedding tears?

Part 2) Is he healed? Why or why not?

Part 3) Will his relationships with others be different now, after the destruction of the painting? Why or why not?

Part 4) Will he reconcile with Kathleen? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The main character is a Holocaust survivor.

Part 1) Describe this character. How is his personality shaped by his experience in a concentration camp?

Part 2) How is he similar to other Holocaust survivors?

Part 3) Compare the main character to the author, who is also a Holocaust survivor.

(see the answer keys)

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