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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. Even though Peter's playing is basic and unspirited, why does Claude enjoy accompanying him?

2. What is the result after Claude studies the Schoenberg twelve-tone system?

3. How old is Claude Rawlings at the beginning of the novel?

4. What kind of student is Claude in school?

5. Why does Claude need to fill in for a pianist who is supposed to perform at the music festival?

Short Essay Questions

1. Regarding the music store, how does Claude show his love for Mr. Weisfeld after Mr. Weisfeld's death?

2. How does the time period during which the story begins explain Emma's job?

3. How does Claude demonstrate drive and fortitude in his preparation to play with Mr. Fredericks at the music festival?

4. Why is driving a cab an unusual choice of work for Emma, Claude's mother?

5. How does a chance discovery at the movies affect Claude's future?

6. How is Lady's lack of drive and ambition a disadvantage in understanding Claude's life?

7. How do young Claude and adults seem to relate to each other?

8. Why is Claude's intimate encounter with Eva, a violinist at the music festival, important to Claude, especially in terms of Catherine Fisk?

9. What evidence shows the eccentric and flamboyant behavior of Aldo Frescobaldi, the violinist whom Claude accompanies?

10. How does the experience with the FBI affect Emma?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose a situation in the story in which Claude acted in a way you disagree with. Describe the situation. Why does Claude act this way? What are the consequences of his actions? Why do you disagree with Claude's reaction to the situation? How would you have reacted? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Determine what you think is the primary theme of this book, and why. Be sure to use specific examples from the book as evidence to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Choose three events from the story which would be most unlikely to occur in real life. Give examples from the story to show how the realistic possibility of these events is achieved in the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,012 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample