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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 gift was Thomas given by Anna days before the bombings?

2. Which two career paths does Allen Black imagine for his son in Happiness, Happiness?

3. Which of the following questions is not one that Oskar asks himself as he imagines a 9/11 type scenario in Alive and Alone?

4. What becomes difficult for childhood friends in The Sixth Borough?

5. What famous Manhattan landmark used to be in the Sixth Borough?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Thomas's experience during the bombing of Dresden.

2. How does Oskar's presentation go at the beginning of Happiness, Happiness?

3. What does Oskar tell Thomas, Sr. over the course of Alive and Alone?

4. In A Simple Solution to an Impossible Problem, what does William Black reveal is the purpose of the key?

5. What is happening in Dad's fourth message?

6. How does Oskar Schell meet Thomas, Sr. at the beginning of Alive and Alone?

7. Why does the trip to Agnes Black's apartment stir Oskar's curiosity in Happiness, Happiness?

8. How does Oskar overcome a phobia in Alive and Alone?

9. What major item movement happens between the sixth borough and and Manhattan as it drifts off?

10. What is the living arrangement between Grandma and Thomas in Why I'm Not Where You Are?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the most whimsical and tragic figures of the novel is A.R. Smith, the old photographer the floor above Oskar. Write an essay about A.R. Black, his worldview, and his impetus to help Oskar on his quest. How does his extensive card catalogue reflect a particular worldview? What in his past could have contributed to this worldview? Why do you think that A.R. Black decides to join Oskar on his search, and why do you think 6 months is enough searching for him? Sum up by offering an opinion as to where he goes when he moves out of Oskar's building. Do you think he moves in with Ruth Black?

Essay Topic 2

The structure of the novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is unusual from the beginning, with the mixing of different narrators and syntax styles, but Jonathan Safran Foer further muddies the narrative waters by having the narrative regularly interrupted by pages that contain something other than plot. Write an essay about these pages, discussing what their connection to the narrative is. Who, presumably, has inserted them into the novel and why? How does their inclusion affect the way the novel is perceived as an object? What does it become?

Part 1) Photos

Part 2) Pages with a single phrase on them.

Part 3) Blank pages.

Essay Topic 3

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a story about interconnection. Oskar Schell's search of the key's lock is an egalitarian one, crossing different boroughs, socioeconomic groups, and life experiences. Write an essay about three of the Blacks Oskar meets in his quest. How is this person's experience different from his own? What about this person's life is compelling to Oskar? What questions does he ask, and in the end how is his life richer for meeting this person?

Part 1) Abby Black.

Part 2) Abe Black.

Part 3) Ada Black.

(see the answer keys)

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