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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 Desdemona vow to never do again after Milton's birth?

2. What is unique about Calliope's fifth chromosome?

3. What is the cause of Desdemona's heart palpitations?

4. What drives Desdemona and Lefty from Bithynios?

5. What does Desdemona's mother say is critical for encourage silk worms to produce good silk?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do Dr. Philobosian's and Uncle Pete's views on conception differ?

3. Why does Lefty not marry either of the village girls that Desdemona attempts to set him up with?

4. Describe the events that allow Desdemona and Lefty to depart from Smyrna.

5. Compare Lefty's original Zebra Room to Milton's version of the Zebra Room.

6. Describe the narrator in Book 2, Ex Ovo Omina.

7. Why are do the members of Temple No. 1 raise silkworms and produce silk fabric and clothing?

8. What does Desdemona do when she hears that Milton's Navy unit will be going to war?

9. Compare Milton's and Mike Antoniou's views on religion.

10. Describe Sourmelina's appearance when Lefty and Desdemona first arrive in Detroit. What is the significance of the way she looks?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Middlesex is a first person narrative written from the point of view of Cal. Discuss how this fact influences the story? What biases does Cal bring to the story? How would the nove be different if another character was telling the story? Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Middlesex looks at the relationship between gender and physical sex (i.e. male or female body parts and hormones). Discuss what the novel says about:

1) the relationship between the two. Are they always the same or different? Why?

2) what influences gender? Is physical sex the only thing that determines gender? What else influences gender?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas. Then comment on the novel's view points. Do you agree or disagree with what the novel says about the relationship between gender and physical sex? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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