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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 movie’s poster hangs over the bed where Pippa lays when Theo meets her in Chapter 4: “Morphine Lollipop”?

2. Who was the painter The Goldfinch?

3. What kind of dog does Xandra have?

4. What does Hobie say Mrs. Barbour’s last name was prior to her marriage in Chapter 4: “Morphine Lollipop”?

5. How long ago does Hobie say Pippa’s mother died in Chapter 4: “Morphine Lollipop”?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Theo discover by eavesdropping at his new home in Las Vegas in Chapter 5: “Badr al-Dine”?

2. What psychological disorder does Theo’s father display the characteristics of, as seen in Chapter 2: “The Anatomy Lesson”?

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

4. Where is Pippa being taken in Chapter 4: “Morphine Lollipop”? Why? How does Pippa feel about her circumstances?

5. What information does Theo learn regarding his grandparents in Chapter 3: “Park Avenue”?

6. What is Theo’s principle internal conflict in Chapter 4: “Morphine Lollipop”?

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

8. What themes are central in Chapter 5: “Badr al-Dine”? How are these themes illuminated?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the setting of Hobie’s shop in the novel. How large is the shop? Where in the building does Hobie have his workshop set up? Where does Hobie live in relation to the store? What are Theo’s impressions of this setting?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Theo Decker as the protagonist of The Goldfinch. How old is Theo’s character when his mother dies? How far in the future is Theo when he is in the Amsterdam hotel room? What characteristics does Theo display as a thirteen-year-old boy?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the character of Lucius Reeve in the novel. Where has Theo first met Lucius Reeve? What are Lucius Reeve’s actions, objectives, and obstacles in the story? How has Mr. Reeve come to the conclusion that Theo has The Goldfinch?

(see the answer keys)

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