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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 do the Nioches add to Noemie's first painting that brings its price up?

2. Nioche describes his former wife as _____________.

3. Why can't Noemie's father help her get married?

4. What does Newman prefer to do instead of going to the club and playing poker with Tristam?

5. How does Mrs. Tristam know that Claire is back in town after Newman comes back to town?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Valentin considered upstanding and noble?

2. Why does Nioche offer to teach Newman French for free?

3. What does Newman think about the fact that he is the only dinner guest at the Bellegardes one evening?

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

5. How does Noemie react to the paintings Newman wants her to paint for him?

6. What actions did Valentin's family take out of fear that he would ruin the family's good name?

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

8. How does Claire's mother react when Newman tells her that he intends to marry Claire some day?

9. How did her family feel about Claire's decision to give up her right to her husband's money?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze at least 3 different literary techniques James uses to create tension in "The American."

Essay Topic 2

Identify what you think is the tone for "The American" and discuss 3 literary devices that James uses to create this tone.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Newman and Valentin. How are they alike? How are they similar? Make sure to use direct quotations from the text to support your paper.

(see the answer keys)

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