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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. From what activity does Fiona always pick Claire up before taking her back to the furniture store?

3. Yale finds out at the pride parade what information about Roman?

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

5. To what state does Yale travel the final time he visits Nora?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Makkai’s focus on the theme of community within the novel The Great Believers. What message is Makkai sending about the importance of community, particularly for members of marginalized communities?

Essay Topic 2

What message does Makkai send within the pages of The Great Believers concerning the definition of family?

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 798 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample