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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 did Maldie believe about Libor?

2. For what does Julian write menus?

3. Where does Libor invite Emmy to meet him?

4. What does Tyler say about Sam's expectations for Jews?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Julian end up in the hospital?

2. What does Libor do in Beachy Head?

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

4. Why is Hephzibah feeling paranoid?

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

6. What does Emmy say about Libor's attitude towards his fellow Jews?

7. How does Hephzibah respond when Sam asks her about a special bond between Jews?

8. What interrupts Sam's plans to play online poker?

9. Where does Libor invite Emmy and what concerns him about doing so?

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

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 Finkler Question based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Finkler Question is a successful novel.

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

Essay Topic 2

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 Howard Jacobson.

2. What in Jacobson's background may have helped him in writing The Finkler Question? What may have influenced the way he 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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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