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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. Who is the “big happy Dominican guy” that Theo describes as his favorite doorman in Chapter 2: “The Anatomy Lesson”?

2. How does Theo describe his father in “the diplomatic way of putting it” in Chapter 2: “The Anatomy Lesson”?

3. How does Theo describe the woman that arrives at his door in the end of Chapter 2: “The Anatomy Lesson”?

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

5. What was the name of Pippa’s mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What fears occupy Theo’s mind as a young child, as illustrated in Chapter 2: “The Anatomy Lesson”? Why?

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

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

4. How does Theo describe the sexual undertones of his friendship with Boris in Chapter 6: “Wind, Sand and Stars”?

5. Who is the narrator of the novel? What are the current circumstances of the narrator in Chapter 1: “Boy with a Skull”?

6. 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?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the setting of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Theo’s impressions of this setting. How does Las Vegas compare with New York for Theo? What are some examples of imagery the author uses to illustrate this setting?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the themes of aesthetic beauty and art in The Goldfinch. How is the value of art described and illustrated through the narrative? What does the painting The Goldfinch represent symbolically to Theo? Why? What characters in the novel appreciate art and aesthetic beauty?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Boris’s plan of action with the art thieves versus the reality of the situation in Chapter 11. What is Theo supposed to do when he meets the dealers? What happens instead? Why do you think that Boris changes the plan suddenly with the art thieves? What is foreshadowed by this action?

(see the answer keys)

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