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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 television channel does Theo sit and watch each day when Andy returns to school in Chapter 3: “Park Avenue”?

2. Who was the painter The Goldfinch?

3. What does Hobie tell Theo that he is, as opposed to a businessman, in Chapter 4: “Morphine Lollipop”?

4. What museum are Theo and his mother when his mother is killed?

5. What is Theo’s mother’s name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who informs Theo of his father’s death in Chapter 6: “Wind, Sand and Stars”? How does Theo respond?

2. Who questions Theo once he returns to school in Chapter 3: “Park Avenue”? How is this scenario described?

3. What is the significance of the dream that is described by the narrator in Chapter 1: “Boy with a Skull”?

4. How is Boris’s character described when he is introduced in Chapter 5: “Badr al-Dine”? Where is Boris from?

5. What obstacle appears in Theo’s and Boris’s friendship in Chapter 6: “Wind, Sand and Stars”?

6. Where is Theo being taken in the beginning of Chapter 3: “Park Avenue”? Why?

7. Why does Theo’s father make Theo call his mother’s lawyer in Chapter 6: “Wind, Sand and Stars”? What does Theo learn during the call?

8. Where does Theo go to stay after his mother’s death in Chapter 3: “Park Avenue”? Why?

9. Where does Theo meet Hobie in Chapter 3: “Park Avenue”?

10. How does Theo come to be in possession of the ring and painting in Chapter 1: “Boy with a Skull”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the character of Havistock Irving in the narrative. Where does Theo encounter Mr. Irving? What information does he learn from Hobie regarding this character? How does the presence and past of Mr. Irving help to explain the Lucius Reeve situation?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss Theo’s actions, objectives, and obstacles following his father’s death in Chapter 6. Why does Theo feel urgency for leaving while Xandra is asleep? What obstacles does Theo face? How are these obstacles overcome?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the narrative style of The Goldfinch. Is the narrative related in past or present tense? How does it change? Is the narrator involved in the action of the story? Why do you think the author chose to use this narrative style?

(see the answer keys)

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