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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. While Claire is in the hospital, what does Paul struggle to do?

2. Why have Serge and Babette come to Paul's house when it is only Paul and Michel there?

3. According to Serge, how has the incident at the ATM affected Rick?

4. When Beau, Rick, and Michel started throwing trash, what item nearly hit a woman in the head?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Paul find the new video of the crime? What is it labeled as?

2. How does Paul deal with Michel while Claire is ill?

3. What is a flashback? How are flashbacks used in The Dinner?

4. How does Michel react to the scene at the bicycle shop?

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

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

7. What has Paul prepared for dinner when Serge and Babette visit while Claire is in the hospital? Why?

8. What happens with Paul and the owner of the bike shop?

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

10. What comes about in the discussion between Paul and Claire regarding a second child?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

Discuss the character of Paul as an example of an unreliable narrator. What aspects of Paul's narrative come into question? Why? How would this novel differ if Paul were a reliable narrator, or if the story were related from a third-person perspective?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 865 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample