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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 does the construction worker tell Theo his old apartment building is being renovated into in Chapter 8: “The Shop-Behind-the-Shop, continued”?

2. How many letters does Theo set out to write before committing suicide in Chapter 12: “The Rendezvous Point”?

3. What is the real name of the bar/restaurant that Hobie refers to as “the Local” in Chapter 8: “The Shop-Behind-the-Shop, continued”?

4. What is the name of the Chinese quarter in Amsterdam where Boris says he is staying with his girlfriend in Chapter 11: “The Gentleman’s Canal”?

5. What is the name of Tom Cable’s sister that Platt Barbour once dated?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Theo confess to Hobie after he returns home in Chapter 12: “The Rendezvous Point”?

2. How does Theo’s mindset change once he has begun classes in Chapter 8: “The Shop-Behind-the-Shop, continued”?

3. What does Theo do once he returns to his hotel in Chapter 11: “The Gentleman’s Canal”? Why is this a significant part of the story?

4. What setting is Theo at in the beginning of Chapter 7: “The Shop-Behind-the-Shop”?

5. How does Theo go about trying to contact Boris in Chapter 12: “The Rendezvous Point”? Is he successful?

6. What does Theo learn about Havistock Irving from Hobie in Chapter 10: “The Idiot”?

7. What leads to the conflicts between Theo and Kitsey in Chapter 10: “The Idiot”?

8. What arrangements are made for Theo’s guardianship in Chapter 7: “The Shop-Behind-the-Shop”?

9. When does Chapter 10: “The Idiot” begin? What obstacles is Theo facing in the beginning of the chapter?

10. How does Theo describe his time spent with Pippa in Chapter 10: “The Idiot”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the characters of Mrs. Barbour, Platt, and Kitsey when they are reintroduced in Chapter 9. How have each of these characters changed since Theo last saw them? How has Theo changed? What new relationships does Theo form with the Barbour family at this point?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Theo’s friendships with Boris and with Hobie in the novel. How would you compare these friendships? What are some of the positive aspects of Theo’s new friendship with Boris? What are some of the negative aspects of the relationship?

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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