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

2. After the newscast, what realization does Paul choose to withhold from Claire?

3. What does Michel insist to Paul about the incident?

4. Outside the restaurant, when Paul tells Michel that he has seen the videos on his phone, what does Michel want to know?

5. On the night of the news broadcast, what does Paul suggest while talking with Michel?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What advice does Paul give to Michel in Chapter 23? Why?

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

4. What does Paul suggest Michel do about the cell phone in Chapter 26?

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

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

7. Why does Paul wish for a war or terrorist attack in Chapter 24?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Who is ultimately responsible for the homeless woman's death? What does the novel attempt to communicate about society's responsibility towards its most vulnerable populations? What is the role of the privileged classes?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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