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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 was it that caused Daphne to sob for 30 seconds before leaving the house?

2. Where do Daphne and Honey go from Sal’s Café on day three?

3. How many Muslims does Daphne say there are in the world?

4. What does Daphne say will be the downfall of the State of Jefferson movement?

5. What kind of cuisine does Daphne find at The Golden Spike?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Daphne and Engin communicate in their call from Sal’s Café?

2. How does Daphne put the discussion of Islam and ISIS to rest?

3. What is Cindy Cooper’s feeling about Islam?

4. Why is Daphne so glad to see a message from her Uncle Rodney on her phone when she gets service again?

5. How does Daphne characterize the conversation she has with Cindy Cooper and her boyfriend Ed van Voorhees?

6. What work-related issue is weighing on Daphne’s mind when she walks out of work?

7. How does Daphne characterize the circle of her conversation with Engin?

8. How does Daphne describe the rhythms of her sex life?

9. How does Daphne describe Engin’s cultural role in Turkey?

10. What is the status of Daphne’s husband’s immigration situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is this an American novel or just a regional novel bound to California and its North Country? What are the advantages and disadvantages of writing such a regional book? What does it mean for a novel to be American anyway?

Essay Topic 2

Would you recommend The Golden State? For what purposes would you recommend The Golden State, and what kinds of readers would you recommend it for? What other book would you recommend that would cover the same material or tell the same story in a different way?

Essay Topic 3

Evaluate the ending of The Golden State. Does it ring true to you? Does it successfully resolve the problems and tensions that preceded it? What would you change, if anything? What are you left wishing for closure on, if anything?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,046 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample