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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. Claire starts coming to the furniture store to help Fiona at what age?

2. A mass shooting in what type of location happens in Paris during Fiona's stay?

3. What term does Damian use in his phone conversation with Fiona that "she used to find charming" (162)?

4. What piece of information does Claire refuse to provide to Fiona?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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