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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. Where had Paul and Claire gone on vacation the previous year?

2. Where does the story take place?

3. What cell phone service does Paul and Michel both use?

4. Which statement best describes Paul's attitude towards Serge?

5. What interrupts the backyard party that Serge and Babette host the night before Paul and Claire leave?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Paul describe his feelings about his brother?

2. What does Paul say about his feelings of corn in Chapter 16?

3. How is Serge's wine expertise regarded by Paul?

4. What explanation does Serge give to Paul regarding Babette's behavior in Chapter 15? Is he telling the truth?

5. Paul states in Chapter 17 that Serge is of two minds when it comes to public attention. What are those minds?

6. How does Paul react to the waiter who tells him about the apertif?

7. What film is described by Claire as the most racist film ever in Chapter 13? Why?

8. What conversation does Paul and Claire have regarding Michel before they go to the restaurant?

9. How is Serge perceived by the public?

10. How is the restaurant described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the relationship of Claire and Paul. How does Paul deal with the Claire's illness and the possibility of losing his family? Why is Claire so protective of Paul? What keeps their marriage going?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the importance of the setting in The Dinner. What is the main setting of the novel? What settings are described in flashbacks? How might this novel differ if set in a different country? How would it differ if set in a different type of restaurant?

Essay Topic 3

Explore Michel and Rick as examples of their generation. Are they typical in their indifference and nihilism, or are teens in the information age more socially conscious than ever? What can be derived by the actions of these characters?

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This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample