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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 happens to Jimmy on Lefty's and his last trip out to the lake?

2. What is the first luxury Milton purchases with the insurance money?

3. Which of the following adjectives best describes the scenes of Milton in Navy training?

4. Which of the following statements best describes Uncle Pete?

5. Who is the narrator of the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Tessie and Milton want a baby daughter so badly?

2. Describe the Greek General Hajienestis.

3. What goes through Tessie's mind as she watches movies at the theatre?

4. What does Milton do to convince the realtor to sell him Middlesex?

5. Describe Detroit in 1967.

6. Describe Calliope's baptism.

7. How does Jimmy Zismo change during Sourmelina's pregnancy?

8. Why does Lefty visit the town of Bursa so often?

9. Why do the Ford Sociological Department workers visit Lefty's home? What do they find that concerns them?

10. Why does the vigilante who throws a Molotov Cocktail into the Zebra Room yell "Opa!" as he sets the diner on fire?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the themes in Middlesex is the American Dream. Discuss how the American Dream is used in this novel and what it says about the attainability of the dream. Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Sexual taboos are central to the story lines in Middlesex. Discuss how the author uses forbidden romance and sexual secrets in the novel. What is the impact of these taboos on the story? What is the author trying to say about our beliefs about sexuality? Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

One of the themes Middlesex explores is "nature vs. nurture". Discuss what the novel has to say about this theme. Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,006 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample