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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. To what does Julian dream he is summoned?

2. What did Maldie believe about Libor?

3. What does Julian ask Hephzibah one day while they are in bed?

4. Why does Emmy say about where they meet?

5. How did Tyler arrange the details of her death?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What worries Hephzibah about Julian?

3. What has happened to Immanuel?

4. What concerns Julian about Sam and Hephzibah?

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

6. Why does Julian go to the park?

7. What does Libor tell Julian when Julian mentions his fears about Sam and Hephzibah?

8. How is Hephzibah grieving?

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

10. How does Julian end up in the hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tyler is disappointed in Sam when he publicly announces his shame in the matter of Palestine on the show, and she disapproves of his decision to join the ASHamed Jews; however, Sam feels Tyler is wrong about him joining for acceptance; he feels the need for someone to speak the truth. Julian notices Tyler growing tired and subdued. He tells her he loves her, and she thanks him for making her feel wanted, though she knows he wants Sam more in the sense that he wants Sam's competence to rub off on him.

1. Discuss, in depth, why Tyler might have been disappointed with Sam's public statement. Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.

2. Discuss why you think Sam believes the way he does about the Palestinian situation and why you think he joined ASHamed. Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.

3. What do you think Tyler means by this thought: ulian notices Tyler growing tired and subdued. He tells her he loves her, and she thanks him for making her feel wanted, though she knows he wants Sam more in the sense that he wants Sam's competence to rub off on him. Use examples from your own life and the book to support your answer.

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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