View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What message does the poster of the cell phone video leave at the end of the clip on the internet?

2. After the incident at the bike shop, what agreement do Paul and Michel make?

3. How does Paul defend his statements, made in class while teaching history, to the principal?

4. What promise does Paul elicit from Claire after he begins his treatment?

5. Who witnesses Paul's violent outburst in the kitchen?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is clear about the behavior and actions of the perpetrators in the security video Paul watches on the news?

2. How is Beau's behavior compared with that of Michel and Rick in the scenario presented in Chapter 21?

3. How does Paul describe the relationship between Michel and Rick in Chapter 26?

4. How does Babette respond to the dessert in Chapter 36?

5. How is Claire treated for her illness in Chapter 34?

6. What does Paul consider about children when speaking with the psychologist in Chapter 31?

7. Why does Serge and Babette come to Paul's home when Claire is in the hospital? How does Paul respond?

8. What response does Claire have as she and Paul watch the surveillance video on television?

9. What effects does Paul's medication have on him?

10. How does Paul's house appear when Babette and Serge visit while Claire is in the hospital?

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 themes of of race and class privilege as explored in The Dinner. How are these themes developed through character, action, circumstances, and symbolism? How would the events and circumstances of the novel differ if the characters were not affluent and white?

Essay Topic 3

Explore to lengths parents will go to protect/defend their children. Do the parents in the novel represent the norm? Why or why not? Do you think that the parents' actions are justified in this story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 895 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample