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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. Why does Pascali want to leave the island?

2. With whom does Pascali ask to speak?

3. What does Pascali think that Bowles sees within Pascali?

4. What does Bowles believe about Greek statues?

5. What does Bowles' notebook indicate?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how Pascali and Bowles agree again to be allies and whether you think either man is sincere.

2. What do you think is one of the main purposes of this short chapter?

3. Summarize the interaction between Pascali and Bowles and one probable hidden meaning.

4. What does Pascali seem to forget when he is rejoicing at the prospect of 150 liras?

5. When you read that Bowles does not show up at the hotel for his meeting with Izzet, are you surprised?

6. What is ironic as Pascali reflects on whether to send this latest report to the Sultan?

7. In what position does Bowles place Pascali in not meeting with Izzet at the hotel and how is this ironic?

8. How does Pascali miss an important clue about Bowles because of Pascali's own desires?

9. What evidence is there that Pascali may be in danger?

10. How does Pascali now see Bowles and how might that insight be both inaccurate and dangerous?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In section 7, as Pascali readies for the meeting with Pasha, he is again disturbed by Bowles' consistent maintenance of a sense of moral superiority. This statement could be considered ironic for several reasons. Answer the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text and your research or personal experience:

1. How would you define the concept of irony?

2. Why could the statement above be considered ironic? Use examples and detail in your explanation.

3. Pascali has a number of thoughts or makes statements that are ironic, though he seldom realizes this fact. Go through the text and find several instances of ironic thoughts or statements from Pascali and explain the situation and why you believe it to be ironic.

Essay Topic 2

In Section 9, the symbolic representation of Bowles' arm and Lydia's body as they made love in Pascali's memory shows Pascali's belief that Bowles and he are unique in their ability to blend reality with lies. Answer the following questions by writing a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. Do you think the ability to blend reality with lies is unique to Pascali and Bowles in the novel? Who else do you think has this ability? Is it an ability? A defect in character? A psychological problem?

2. How about in "real" life--do you know people who blend reality with lies? Give some examples when you have encountered someone who does this. Did it make you distrust the person?

3. Is there ever a good reason to blend reality with lies? What about for emotional protection when a child is in an abusive situation? Ultimately who is most harmed by someone who blends reality with lies--the one doing it or the one who believes the person? Or both?

Essay Topic 3

In Section 15, when Pascali is assisting Bowles in digging out the statue, Pascali realizes that, for the first time, he and Bowles are friends, working together for a single goal. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed, cohesive essay using examples from the text, your research or personal experience:

1. What goes on between the two men as they are working that changes Pascali's view of Bowles? Do you think this view is just temporary? Why or why not? What about the two men's characters enable them to shift from one way of relating to a different one so easily?

2. Sometimes when two people or groups begin to communicate who they really are, a shifting of viewpoints takes place and former hostility and enmity can be transformed. Discuss this idea first from your personal experience and then in taking a current hostile situation and discuss how this idea could change the situation--this can be hostility between kids at the school you attend (for example, athletes versus "nerds"), your community, town, city, country or country versus country or ethnic group versus ethnic group.

3. What do you think shifts that enables Pascali to betray Bowles? Was Pascali only pretending friendship at the evacuation site? What did you think about the portrayal of these two men as friends and then Pascali turning around and setting up the circumstances of Bowles's death? Did this change your opinion of Pascali? Did you admire him less? Like him less? What do you think Pascali thought about himself after that?

(see the answer keys)

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