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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. Which of Connell's friends asks questions about Marianne and her house?

2. Connell's mother works in what type of position?

3. Which of Connell's friends tells Marianne in front of other people that she is flat-chested?

4. What subject does Connell plan to study as a major in college?

5. What adjective is used to describe Connell's feelings about sex?

Short Essay Questions

1. What story is continually told about Marianne during her high school years?

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

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

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

5. What are the physical differences between Lorraine and Connell?

6. How does Lorraine react to the news that Connell is taking Rachel to the Debs?

7. How is the theme of self-deception demonstrated within the novel?

8. How does Alan react when Marianne refuses to speak to Connell on the phone?

9. What advice does Marianne give Connell about college?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Rooney’s novel Normal People. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

How do the themes of deception and secrecy function within Normal People and what is Rooney’s message regarding these themes?

Essay Topic 3

Provide a thorough analysis of the denouement of Rooney's novel Normal People.

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This section contains 975 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample