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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. For what organization does Jacques Textel work?

2. What does Akira Sakazaki have planned for after work?

3. Who does Skinner's first choice recommend to give a reader's report on McGarrigle's book proposal?

4. What detail of Morris' life intrigues Fulvia?

5. What was the name of the British Council representative's wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ronald Frobisher hold such a grudge against Rudyard Parkinson?

2. Why is Persse's Aunty Nuala not at home when he goes to visit?

3. How does the Ringbaums' day go after landing in London?

4. Why is Morris Zapp so hesitant to accept Fulvia's advances?

5. What personal story does Robin Dempsey tell Persse at the sherry reception?

6. What is Desiree doing while Morris Zapp is en route to the Rummidge airport?

7. What two letters from London are awaiting Persse McGarrigle when he returns to Limerick?

8. What does Robin Dempsey's Centre of Computational Statistics tell Ronald Frobisher about his writing?

9. What is Morris Zapp's theory about sex?

10. Describe the atmosphere Philip sets to tell his story about Joy.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Lausanne, Michel Tardieu says to Persse, "If one is not a subject or an object, one must be a helper or an opponent." Using at least three characters as examples, discuss the meaning of this statement. What is Lodge trying to say? Do you agree? Why or why not? Be specific.

Essay Topic 2

Lodge devotes several pages to Philip Swallow's "Why am I here?" train of thought while he is Turkey. Using examples from the text, discuss the author's view on the meaning of life and how we tally the "costs" involved.

Essay Topic 3

What is the major, or biggest, theme of this story? Support your thesis with examples from the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,105 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample