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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. Why does Julian refuse Libor's dinner invitation a week after the mugging?

2. What does Libor think about Julian and Hephzibah?

3. What invitation does Sam receive?

4. What does Julian wonder about his sons?

5. What does Julian visit again?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Sam and Julian meet Libor?

2. What happens to Julian one late summer evening in London on his way home?

3. What debates does Julian think about as he walks to Regent's Park and what is Julian's thought about what Libor says?

4. Who does Julian meet at a party and what do they do?

5. How does Hephzibah feel about marriage to Julian?

6. How do Sam and Tyler respond to Sam's invitation to join the ASHamed Jews?

7. What are Julian's sons doing when Julian is revisiting the scene of his mugging?

8. What does Emmy ask of Libor?

9. How does Hephzibah cause Julian to believe his fate is playing itself out with her?

10. With whom does Sam have a falling out and what disappoints him about the ASHamed Jews?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Finkler Question and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Finkler Question is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Finkler Question.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Finkler Question. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Finkler Question. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes The Maze interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Julian. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Hephzibah . What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Sam. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

4. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Libor. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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