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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. How old is the girl who enters the store?

2. How did Morris' son die?

3. What does Frank give Helen as a gift?

4. Who is Frank looking for?

5. According to Morris, what kills the small man?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Helen feel about her failed relationship with Nat Pearl?

2. What does Frank Alpine say about his luck and opportunities?

3. According to Morris, what does it mean to be Jewish?

4. How does Helen feel about Frank now?

5. How does Frank feel about life at the store?

6. How does Frank reward himself for working hard? Is this suspicious?

7. How does Frank do while filling in for Morris?

8. What is the difference between Nat Pearl and Louis Karp?

9. What does Helen give Frank to prepare him for school? How does Frank react?

10. What kind of a living does Morris make? What is ruining Morris' business?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the use of dreams and dream sequences in THE ASSISTANT. Be sure to address:

1) The role of dreams in the novel.

2) Examples of how dreams have influenced characters and foreshadowed events.

3) What you feel the role of dreams are in our everyday lives.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay describing the symbols used by the author in the novel. Be sure to address at least three symbols used by the author, with the essay focusing on their deeper meaning and role within the story.

Essay Topic 3

Research and write an essay on the history of ethnic groups in New York City. Be sure to address:

1) Early ethnic groups to settle in New York.

2) Conflicts between ethnic groups in New York.

3) The current state of multiculturalism in New York today.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 852 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample