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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 1986, Yale is continuing his sexual relationship with whom?

2. Who makes the appointment for Yale to meet with Dr. Cheng?

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

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

5. Fiona holds a private memorial for Nico with wine and candles on October 13th how many years after his death?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What is ironic about Charlie's relationship with Julian?

6. What major news does Yale receive from Teresa, Charlie's mother?

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

8. What information does Fiona find out about her granddaughter Nicolette during her meeting with Claire?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

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 3

What is the function of Nico's character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by Makkai in depicting Nico and include in your discussion the reasons that Makkai portrays Nico and his loved ones’ reactions to Nico’s death in these particular ways.

(see the answer keys)

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