View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What magazine does Amy see her father in?

2. What color is Amy's wool cap?

3. Who does Nathan ask to drop him off in town?

4. To what writer does Nathan compare Anne Frank?

5. Why does Hope apologize to Amy in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hope storm out of the kitchen in Chapter 4?

2. According to the story in Chapter 3, why does Amy take a new name?

3. Why can Zuckerman no longer think of Amy as herself in Chapter 4?

4. Why does Amy say she wrote and kept the diary while in hiding?

5. According to Chapter 3, why does Lonoff drive to New York in the middle of the night?

6. Why does Amy want a room with a telephone?

7. What significance does Zuckerman see in Amy's wool cap in Chapter 4?

8. Why does Amy get up from the table to leave in Chapter 4?

9. What does Amy fear Lonoff will think about her after she tells him her story in Chapter 3?

10. What does Zuckerman notice has happened to Hope at breakfast the next morning?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In "The Ghost Writer," Zuckerman searches out Lonoff as a mentor and father figure. Write a response exploring Zuckerman's search for a father figure. Why is he looking for a mentor and father figure? How does Zuckerman's relationship with his own father contribute to him seeking out another mentor/father figure? Use specific references to the story in the response.

Essay Topic 2

The theme of identity is prevalent throughout the story - from Zuckerman looking to form his identity as a writer to Amy finding her identity as a student. Write a response exploring the theme of identity in the story as presented by the main characters. What is an identity? What types of identities are presented in the story? Use specific examples from the text in the response.

Essay Topic 3

Philip Roth tends to use some of his characters as alter egos of himself. Explore Roth's use of characters in "The Ghost Writer" as alter egos. Who is Roth's alter ego in the story? Can more than one character serve as an alter ego? How do the characters become alter egos? Use specific examples from the story in the response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 884 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample