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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. In 1985, who is considering the purchase of a house?

2. For what purpose are most of Nico's family members congregating at the start of the novel?

3. Fiona is worried about her daughter's well-being for what reason?

4. Who is Kurt within the story?

5. Every time Nico introduced Fiona to someone new, he had said, "This is the lady who" (3) what?

Short Essay Questions

1. With what aspect of Arnaud's investigation is Fiona frustrated?

2. In what ways does Fiona forcibly direct her parents in regard to Nico's illness and death?

3. What task does Arnaud say will "take a couple of days" (133)?

4. In what location is the wake celebrating Nico's death held?

5. Why is everyone at the party so alarmed after they see Terrence, Nico's former boyfriend?

6. Characterize the relationship between Nico and Fiona prior to Nico's death.

7. What is ironic about the location at which Yale meets Charlie?

8. What information does Fiona report to Yale about her family's cleaning out of Nico's place and how does Yale react?

9. What is the source of Yale's fear of being tricked?

10. What is the most encouraging aspect of Nora's art collection, from Yale's point of view?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of The Great Believers and one of the novel's main messages. How does Makkai make connections between these elements and how does their juxtaposition help to get across one main message of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the instances of irony within the narrative of The Great Believers and analyze Makkai’s purpose for including each instance you discuss.

Essay Topic 3

Focus especially on elements prevalent within the text, such as the unfolding of the AIDS crisis, the pursuit of monogamy, and the effects of homophobia on the American family.

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This section contains 927 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample