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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. Whom does Nioche claim his daughter is like?

2. What makes Newman uncomfortable during a dinner in Chapter XII with the Bellegardes?

3. Who does Mrs. Tristam tell Newman is persecuting Claire?

4. How is Newman informed that he has been accepted by the Bellegardes family as Claire's suitor?

5. What is Newman on the verge of doing when he spots Tom Tristam?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Newman allow Tristam to choose a new apartment for him?

2. What does Valentin think Noemie's absence from her father's house symbolizes?

3. What does Valentin think about Noemie and her plans for the future when he first meets her?

4. What does Mrs. Tristam tell Newman Claire's family wants for her?

5. What reaction does Newman have to the offer to tour Claire's home during his first visit?

6. What causes Claire to shift from threatening to banish Newman if he talked about marriage again to making him wait 6 months instead?

7. What surprising event happens as Urbain and his wife are preparing to go to a ball?

8. What has Claire's family already done to her in regard to marriage?

9. After Newman pays several visits to Claire, what does he come to enjoy about her?

10. While he is confessing his affections for her for the first time, what does Newman ask Claire to do in regard to her decision about him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast 2 female characters of your choosing from the "The American," making sure to use direct evidence and examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Describe at least four negative aspects of having a protagonist as good-natured as Newman. Make sure to use evidence from the novel to support your position.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze at least 4 different ways the story of "The American" would change if the setting were to take place in 2020.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 782 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample