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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. Where are the new owners of the grocery store around the corner from?

2. What will the detective do if he sees Ward again?

3. How many days does Morris spend in the hospital?

4. After Frank and Helen's first kiss, what does Helen do when Frank is not looking?

5. According to Karp, what is in every clerk's nature?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Frank feel about his actions? What did he do to Helen?

2. How does Morris react when Frank tells him the truth about the hold-up?

3. What happens to Karp's liquor store? How does Morris feel about it?

4. How does Helen feel about her father's funeral, and his life?

5. How does Morris nearly die? Who saves him?

6. Describe the nightmare Morris has. What do you think it means?

7. Describe Ward's last meeting with his father. How does it make you feel about Ward?

8. How does Helen feel about Frank not being Jewish?

9. What arrangement does Karp propose to Morris?

10. What thoughts are troubling Morris at the beginning of the chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on crime and criminals in THE ASSISTANT. Be sure to address:

1) Criminal acts that are carried out or planned in the novel.

2) How you feel the author intends readers to view the criminal behavior of characters in the novel.

3) How prevalent the crimes described in the novel are in the real world, and the punishments that these crimes carry.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 881 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample