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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. "Soft-more" (257) is Claire's nickname for a piece of furniture of what type?

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

3. What is Fiona's granddaughter's name?

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

5. What particular method or incident had been involved in Ranko Novak's death?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

7. In what way does the narrator describe Fiona's feelings during the birth of Claire?

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

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

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

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

Focus especially on elements prevalent within the text, such as the unfolding of the AIDS crisis, the pursuit of monogamy, and the effects of homophobia on the American family.

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?

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This section contains 753 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample