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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. The reader is reminded in Chapter V: Neither Here Nor There that Noah will turn 80 on what day of the week while in France?

2. The chip Michael produces from his pocket in Chapter VI: The Law of Closure is stamped with what number?

3. What sound frightens Noah as he is heading into the sea for a swim in Chapter VI: The Law of Closure?

4. When Noah "ruefully" (160) thinks of the foster care pamphlet, what is NOT an element he recalls from it?

5. What word does Joan's ethereal voice use to describe Noah's theory about Margot and the man with the cane?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the difference between Noah's outward reaction and his inward reaction to the revelation that Michael has a tattoo.

2. In what way does Joan's voice act as a voice of reason throughout the text?

3. What results does Noah unearth when he searches for the average life expectancy of a person in Michael's Brooklyn neighborhood?

4. What important realization does Noah make about Margot's photograph of a small boy in Chapter IV: The Promenade and to what conclusion does he then jump?

5. What tattoo does Michael have on the inside of his arm and what is its significance?

6. What holiday is taking place in Nice during Michael and Noah's time there and what mood does it lend to the narrative?

7. To what objects does Noah compare a biological mother and father in his DNA explanation to Michael?

8. What two revelations are made about the initials MZ within Chapter VII: "Nom de Guerre"?

9. For what reason does Noah think "ruefully" (180) of the fostering pamphlet in Chapter V: Neither Here nor There?

10. Near the end of Chapter V: Neither Here nor There, what action does Noah think about taking once he returns home to New York City and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

In what way does Donoghue go about breaking the text into parts and how do these structural elements help to fulfill the goals of the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

How does Donoghue use sensory details in order to strengthen the text’s messages? Discuss at least two passages that include the use of sensory details and pull quotes from these passages to support your claim.

(see the answer keys)

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