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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 Callie do to try to get to know the Obscure Object better?

2. Where do Callie and the Object spend most of their days in the summer?

3. How do Callie and the Object react to Jerome's vampire movie shoot in the woods?

4. What do Zora and Cal have in common?

5. Who is the first person to pick Cal/Callie up when s/he begins hitchhiking?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Milton react to his impending death after running his car off of the bridge?

2. What steps does Callie take in this chapter to physically transform herself into Cal?

3. What do all of the women working at Sixty-Niners have in common?

4. What is the connection between the mulberry tree outside of Middlesex and the silk industry?

5. Describe the circumstances leading to Callie's injury.

6. Why does Father Mike pretend to be Callie's kidnapper?

7. Describe the series of medical examinations that leads to Callie being referred to Dr. Luce.

8. Describe Dr. Luce's office.

9. How do Milton and Chapter Eleven attempt to "bury the hatchet" when Chapter Eleven returns home to support his parents following Callie's disappearance?

10. Describe the dynamics of Zoe's and Father Mike's relationship.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides weaves actual events from history (Turkish and American) into his fictional story. Select one of the situations where he places his characters within a real historical context and:

1) Describe the historical context of the scene or chapter (i.e. What actually happened in history that Eugenides uses in the book?).

2) Discuss the relationship between the historical context and the fictional story of the Stephanides family. What does this piece of history have to do with the family's life? Why does Eugenides choose to place these characters at this particular point in the story in this particular historical context?

Essay Topic 2

There are several characters who influence the person that the narrator becomes. Select the two characters who you believe have the greatest impact on her development and:

1) describe each character's actions or beliefs as they relate to Cal/Calliope.

2) discuss the impact of this character on Cal/Calliope's life and personality.

3) discuss why you selected each particular character. What about each character made him/her more of an influence on Cal/Calliope than others?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

In Middlesex, a few minor characters have a major impact on the story line. Select one of the following minor characters to analyze: Father Mike, Jimmy Zismo, Chapter Eleven or Sourmelina. Discuss:

1) The personality (character traits) of this character.

2) The relationship between this minor character and the major characters in the story.

3) The impact of this character on the story line--How does s/he influence the overall story line? How would the story be different if this character was removed?

(see the answer keys)

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