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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. How does the bike shop owner respond to Paul's visit?

3. What happens when the restaurant owner comes over to the table?

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

5. Paul notes in Chapter 36 that both he and Michel have a dislike for what?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Paul order for dessert and what are his thoughts on it?

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

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

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

7. How does Paul set up dinners for he and Michel while Claire is in the hospital?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore significance of the novel's narrative style. What would the novel be like if told from one of the other characters' points of view? Do you think the other characters in the novel would be more or less reliable narrators? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Explore Paul's attitudes towards history and humanity. As you watched him lose his job, and later explode during his confrontation with Michel's principal, did you perceive him as ill? Selfish? Rational?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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