View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Fiona suddenly has the idea that she can have sex with Jake in order to accomplish what feat?

2. Julian and Yale get into a fight over what dental item?

3. Once Arnaud gives Fiona access to Claire, her first impulse is to call which character?

4. For what reason does Fiona rush to Le Marais?

5. Fiona is surprised to find which character talking to Serge when she returns to Richard's house in 2015?

Short Essay Questions

1. What subject is Fiona talking about when she unknowingly injures herself?

2. What techniques does Makkai use in order to portray Yale's mood as he returns home from a business trip?

3. Explain Fiona's acquisition of Nico's friends as her own friends.

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

5. Describe the setting of Fiona's meeting with Claire.

6. What "double good news" (231) does Arnaud reveal to Fiona at Richard's house in Paris?

7. What simile is used to indicate how Julian feels about Roscoe?

8. How does Fiona injure her hand during her conversation with Jake?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look carefully at the passages of The Great Believers that describe the close relationship between Nico and his sister Fiona. What is Makkai’s purpose for discussing at length the nature of Fiona’s closeness to her brother Nico prior to his death?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 865 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample