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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 song does Roxane sing during the first chapter?

2. How has Ruben acted while held prisoner in his own home?

3. What becomes the language that everyone can communicate through?

4. Unfortunately for the accompanist, what is happening to him?

5. Who are Simon and Edith Thibault?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the novel begin and what mood is established?

2. Why do the terrorists choose to keep Roxane at the house?

3. Why is it important for Mr. Hosokawa to be at the birthday party?

4. What aspects of the situation have led Simon to re-evaluate his life?

5. Why does Messner become jealous of the hostages?

6. Why does Mr. Hosokawa decide to attend his own birthday party?

7. When the terrorists learn that the President is not at the birthday party, what happens?

8. How do the hostages and terrorists find a way to communicate with one another?

9. When the terrorists choose not to shoot a dead body, what are they proving about themselves?

10. As time goes on, how do the hostages and terrorists start to treat one another?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. Summarize Roxane's views on true love.

2. Summarize Victor's views on love.

3. How do the two vary or match?

4. Why can't Victor and Roxane be together?

Essay Topic 2

How does the author establish Ruben's home as a prison and as an alternate reality?

What qualities about the home are likened to a prison? What about the home allows them to see it as a safe place.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel Gen and Hosowaka switch places.

- Are they excited about this development?

- How does each man accept his new position in the hostage siege?

- How have they switched places? Is it in an emotional, physical, or business switch?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 708 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample