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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 is the countryside Daphne is remembering as the novel opens?

2. How does Daphne characterize marriage?

3. What does the message say, that Daphne gets once her phone has service?

4. On day three, what does Engin’s mother tell Daphne to do?

5. What does Honey’s name mean in Turkish?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Honey’s real name, and why does Daphne call her Honey?

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

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

5. What is Daphne’s relationship with her daughter Honey like?

6. How does Daphne say she feels about her job?

7. What the State of Jefferson?

8. What is the economic and cultural state of Altavista?

9. Why were Daphne and Engin not married in Turkey?

10. What does the goat bell in Daphne’s house remind her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Debate the proposition that the ending of The Golden State is a triumph. What are the best arguments in favor of a triumphant ending? What are the arguments against this proposition? Explain why your argument is most convincing.

Essay Topic 2

Who is the audience for The Golden State? What is the ideal reader for The Golden State likely to think about the book’s main topics? How does this book try to affect the reader? What is it trying to teach him or her, or get him or her to do?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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