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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. On what day of the week does Claire always come to the furniture store?

2. When Yale wonders what he would do if he saw Julian, what does he decide he would do?

3. What is the result of Yale's HIV test?

4. At what type of event does Yale confront Roman?

5. Who calls Fiona and interrupts her attempt to attend Richard's art exhibition?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who brings Fiona's daughter Claire to her for the first time and how does Fiona react?

2. What information does Fiona tell Jake about the friendship between Julian and Nico?

3. When Yale speaks to his father over the phone, the narrator reveals that Yale has not told his father about what subjects?

4. Who is waiting for Yale when he returns home from a business trip and who is also home, but does not reveal himself?

5. Dr. Cheng makes what distinction between secrecy and shame in his conversation with Yale?

6. What is Fiona's main concern about people finding out that she has slept with Jake?

7. What conclusion does Yale draw about the bad news he hears from Teresa?

8. What biological family member do Fiona and Cecily share in common?

9. What advice does Cecily give to Fiona about Fiona's meeting with Claire?

10. How does Fiona describe the setting in which Nico had died?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze The Great Believers from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about The Great Believers while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the novel's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Determine Makkai’s message within the novel The Great Believers regarding the importance of the continued fight for gay rights in United States.

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