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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. What does Helen promise herself she will do in the fall?

2. What does Ida suspect?

3. What does Morris suspect Frank of doing?

4. What did doctors find in Morris' lungs?

5. What color are Helen's eyes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Louis and Helen talk about when they go for a ride?

2. How is business at the store?

3. Why does Ida resent Morris and their current situation? What responsibility does she have for the state of their lives?

4. What terrible things are revealed about Frank in this chapter?

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

6. Who is the man hanging around the neighborhood?

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

8. How does Frank get a chance to talk to Helen? How does Helen react?

9. Describe Frank's early family life.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay describing your vision of the ideal lifestyle. Be sure to address:

1) What you feel are the most important aspects of a good lifestyle, and what to avoid.

2) How one can attain the ideal lifestyle, and how realistic this lifestyle is.

3) How THE ASSISTANT by Bernard Malamud has influenced your view of the ideal lifestyle.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on the American Dream. Be sure to address:

1) What the American Dream means to you.

2) Obstacles faced by new Americans trying to achieve the American Dream.

3) Whether or not you feel the American Dream is still alive today, and why.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay describing the romantic relationship between Frank Alpine and Helen Bober. Be sure to address:

1) What you think attracts Frank and Helen to each other, with evidence from the text.

2) Major obstacles to Frank and Helen's happiness together, and how these obstacles are overcome.

3) Whether or not you think Frank and Helen are good for each other, and why.

(see the answer keys)

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