View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The final jury that awards the prize for which Arthur is nominated is composed of 12 what?

2. With what group of artists and writers was Arthur Less once associated?

3. What is NOT on the list of expenses that Arthur Less cannot afford to pay for during his trip around the world?

4. For what occasion has Arthur Less been asked to interview the science fiction writer?

5. What was the title of Arthur Less's first novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the actual sound being made when Arthur believes the sound of thunder to be interrupting his reveries during the Italian award ceremony?

2. What does the grandfather clock in the opening scene symbolize?

3. Why does Arthur automatically lie when he is asked whether he has ever been to Mexico?

4. What is the narrator's hypothesis about why Arthur spends nine years with Freddy?

5. What does Arthur eventually decide about avoiding heartbreak?

6. What is ironic about Marian's last words to Arthur before he dives into the ocean during their first meeting?

7. What are the reasons for Arthur's exhaustion the first morning he wakes up in Mexico?

8. What is the significance of Arthur's temporary loss of the ring given to him by Robert on their fifth anniversary?

9. What is the significance of Arthur's habit of not wearing a watch?

10. How do Arthur and Robert meet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the topic of aging treated within the novel? Create a claim stating the author’s message regarding the process of aging.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of the novel and the author's choice of narrator to relay the narrative. How does the author employ each and how does their juxtaposition help him get across a main message of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about the novel while using the critical power theory lens of queer theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the treatment of gender roles, sexual identity, and other issues related to queer theory that can be found in the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 980 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample