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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 Japanese tradition does Kakuro explain?

2. What does Manuela say about Renee's looks when Renee dons her borrowed dress?

3. What does Renee think about concerning art?

4. Who is Yoko?

5. What surprises Renee about Kakuro's last name?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Renee obtain a dress for her date and what disturbs her about the dress?

2. Why is Manuela happy about the new tenant?

3. What does Renee think is wrong with Columbe's thesis and why?

4. What does Kakuro send Renee and what does she do?

5. Who wakes Renee at seven and what does Renee tell the person?

6. Why does Paloma prefer her aunt and uncle over her own parents?

7. What does Paloma want of Renee when she comes to Renee's door at eight?

8. With whom does Paloma have tea and how does she respond to the event?

9. What does Manuela tell Renee about Kakuro's apartment, and what is Renee's response?

10. What does Paul Nguyen tell Renee when he comes to her door and what is Renee's response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if it is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Renee and Paloma. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Renee and Kakuro. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Muriel Barbery.

2. What in Barbery's background may have helped her in writing "The Elegance of the Hedgehog"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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