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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 really galls Julian about the incident?

2. With whom can Libor not fathom having an affair?

3. What might have been missing from Julian's life?

4. How long before Tyler's death did Sam appear on "Desert Island Discs"?

5. What is Julian not up to recalling?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What agreement do Julian and Hephzibah make?

3. Why does Julian tell Libor about the mugging, and what is Libor's response?

4. Who is Emmy Oppenstein and how does Libor reconnect with her?

5. What does Emmy ask of Libor?

6. Why doesn't Julian accept a dinner invitation from Libor a week after Julian's mugging?

7. How does Alfredo explain knowing Sam and knowing about Julian's mugging?

8. What position has Hephzibah recently taken on and why does Julian think she was chosen for the new position?

9. Why does Julian decide to go to dinner at Libor's two nights later?

10. How do Sam and Julian meet Libor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in The Finkler Question? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in The Finkler Question including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from The Finkler Question and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

The Finkler Question belongs to the comic novel genre. Discuss the following:

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

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Finkler Question help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Finkler Question? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Finkler Question to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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