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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. Noah assumes that which character had taken the photographs he finds in Chapter 1: The Call?

2. To what city in France is Noah getting ready to travel in order to celebrate his birthday?

3. The narrator states in Chapter 1: The Call that Noah will turn how old the following Monday?

4. The first line of Chapter 1: The Call evokes the image of what kind of man "packing his bags" (12)?

5. To what object does Donoghue compare Noah in terms of his parents' treatment of him during childhood?

Short Essay Questions

1. For how many years has Noah been alone since losing his wife Joan and in what way does her presence still resonate with him?

2. In what setting does Chapter III: Takeoff Speed begin and what is revealed about Michael in this setting?

3. For what reason does Rosa enter Noah's New York City apartment in Chapter II: Twenty Questions?

4. Describe the photographs that are included alongside the novel's epigraph.

5. In what way does Chapter I: The Call end on a hopeful note concerning Michael and Noah?

6. To what phone call does the title of Chapter I: The Call refer?

7. What is revealed to have been the cause of Joan's death in Chapter II: Twenty Questions?

8. Discuss the possible significance of the novel's epigraph and name two themes that appear within its content.

9. What is the significance of the book entitled Pere Sonne: A Life's Work featured in Chapter III: Takeoff Speed?

10. For what reason did Noah and Joan refrain from having children?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the theme of injustice portrayed within Akin? Examine Donoghue's treatment of and messages regarding injustice throughout the work.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Donoghue's decision to include humor within the novel entitled Akin. What purpose did Donoghue have in mind when including these instances of humor and how does the inclusion of these instances support the overarching themes and messages of the text?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the roles of Victor, Amber, and Michael within the text of Akin. How does Donoghue use each character’s depiction in order to highlight themes depicted within the overall narrative?

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