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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 adjective does Connell use to characterize the overall personality of Helen?

2. Connell calls Marianne from a phone booth for help after what event befalls him?

3. For what sole purpose has Connell entered the church in the past?

4. What adjective has Lorraine always used to describe Alan's personality?

5. Who consoles Marianne outside after her coupe champagne glass is shattered?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what reason does Connell procrastinate when enacting his back-up plan for summer housing?

2. Discuss Rooney's use of a literary device to depict, foreshadow, or imply violence.

3. What simile does Rooney use to describe Connell's feelings about writing and why?

4. By April of 2012, Connell and Marianne have fallen into a certain routine. What is it?

5. How are the issues of privilege and class differences depicted within Peggy's experiences?

6. What are Connell's impressions of Alan and from whence do these impressions emerge?

7. What does it mean to Marianne when she wins the full scholarship to graduate school, according to Connell?

8. What happens to prevent Connell from enacting his plan to stay in Dublin over the summer?

9. What happens to foil Connell's Plan B for staying in Dublin over the summer?

10. Who is Helen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the novel Normal People from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 3

Write a critical essay about Normal People while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 937 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample