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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. In August of 2011, Alan is calling around to find out what information?

2. The morning after Marianne's long sleep, she takes what action?

3. How many people know who Connell's biological father is?

4. What subject is taught by the teacher who flirts with Connell?

5. Connell's grandmother tells him that she has heard that he is going to attend a college in what location?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the relationship between Marianne and her brother Alan.

2. To what action of Rob's does Connell object and why?

3. What is the significance of Connell's interpretation of the story circulated about Marianne?

4. Describe Lorraine's appearance and manner.

5. When the reader joins Connell in the fall of his first year of college, to what changes has he had to adapt?

6. What advice does Marianne give Connell about college?

7. Who is Miss Neary?

8. What event occurs just prior to Marianne's decision to quit high school?

9. What had Connell's sexual experiences been like prior to meeting Marianne?

10. What does Connell know about his biological father and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Rooney's choice to tell the story of Normal People using a third person omniscient narrator. What elements of the novel's themes lend themselves to this choice and what are Rooney’s intended effects on the reader?

Essay Topic 2

How is the topic of communication treated within Normal People and how does its treatment relate to the novel's depicted messages?

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about Normal People while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the novel.

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This section contains 951 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample