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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. What does Renee suggest to the young man?

2. What is one way Renee plays to her clients' prejudice?

3. To what does Paloma feel that her family's wealth subject her?

4. What does Paloma decide to do for her next birthday?

5. What is the significance of building number 7 at rue de Grenelle?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Olympe.

2. How does Madame de Broglie injure her ankle?

3. What does Paloma Josse believe her future will be like and how does she plan to avoid that future?

4. Describe Paloma.

5. Why does Chabrot come to Renee's apartment?

6. What does Paloma believe about life and why?

7. About whom do Renee and Manuela gossip when they are having tea?

8. What is one of Renee's favorite movie and why?

9. What causes Renee to reflect on the meaning of life and what is her conclusion?

10. What is Renee's educational background and who fostered her desire to learn?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"The Elegance of the Hedgehog" belongs to the novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a novel and a historical novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Elegance of the Hedgehog, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "The Elegance of the Hedgehog". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 960 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample