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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 does Conchis ask Nicholas to believe in?

2. When did Conchis return to Europe?

3. What was one of the first things Conchis and Nicholas did when Nicholas arrived for his weekend visit?

4. What does the message from Conchis tell Nicholas?

5. How does Nicholas pass the time before dinner?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Nicholas say that he will not be able to have sex with her and how does she decide to handle this news?

2. What decisions did Conchis come to in regard to war and what did this make him determined to do?

3. As Nicholas and Conchis are walking back to the house and pass the Poseidon statue, what does Lily admit to Nicholas?

4. What does Nicholas do once he returns to school in regards to the villa?

5. What relationship did Conchis tell Nicholas about and in what way was he like Conchis?

6. What does Nicholas receive from Maria and what is contained in what he receives?

7. How does the character of Mitford describe life on the island to Nicholas and what does he speak mysteriously about?

8. What discussion takes place in regard to the voices heard by Nicholas the night before?

9. What does Nicholas consider when he realizes that he is a very bad poet and what actually happens?

10. What resolution does Nicholas come to about Conchis and privacy as well as Conchis and Alison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what ways were climaxes in this novel matched in narrative with sexual ones within the novel? Do you believe this was the author's intention? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

What personal truth does Nicholas realize throughout this novel? What universal truth is shared with the reader in this novel? How do you personally feel about this universal truth? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Nicholas' relationship with Mrs. de Seitas is angry? Why do you think Nicholas' relationship with JoJo is selfish and shallow? Do you think these reasons are justified? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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