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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 Julian ask Hephzibah one day while they are in bed?

2. What does Julian ask Hephzibah about Jews?

3. What has Julian forgotten about when he arrives back at his apartment?

4. What happens to Meryer Abramsky and his family?

5. What does Sam call his son?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sam think is so beautiful about Kaddish?

2. Why do Hephzibah and Sam decide to say Kaddish for Libor, and why doesn't Julian do so as well?

3. How is Hephzibah grieving?

4. What is the worse time for Malkie as she was dying and how is Libor feeling similarly?

5. Where does Sam say Kaddish?

6. Why is Hephzibah feeling paranoid?

7. Why does Julian go to the park?

8. Why does Libor and a woman walking her dog intervene with some children?

9. What does Sam doing after losing a lot of money in online poker and who does he encounter?

10. What does Sam say about Immanuel's fight?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Julian and Sam. 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 Julian and Libor. 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 Finkler Question 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 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

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 Finkler Question, 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 Finkler Question. (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?

(see the answer keys)

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