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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. Who drives to John Leal's house?

2. Through whom does Will procure his internship?

3. To what city did John Leal smuggle people?

4. What does John Leal encourage Phoebe to talk about?

5. What does Phoebe drink while a young child?

Short Essay Questions

1. What piece of fruit does Phoebe's mother peel for her as she plays piano?

2. What is the name of the club where Phoebe invites Will for a drink?

3. Who is the female waitress where Will works?

4. Where was John Leal's prison camp?

5. Why does the usual piano player at John Leal's not able to play on Phoebe's first evening at John Leal's house?

6. What is the composition that Phoebe considers the most challenging piano piece?

7. What is the name of the pregnant girl whom John Leal met in a gulag?

8. Why does John Leal go to Hilcox Street?

9. Where does Phoebe break in with her friends?

10. What personal item of Phoebe's does John Leal look inside?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Incendiaries was published in 2018, over a decade after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The author makes various use of terrorist attacks at one point in the novel (in Chapter 37). Write an essay on the book's currency with respect to its theme of terrorism. While your main argument should focus on the text, you man consult outside sources to research other acts of terrorism that the author may have used for inspiration. In your essay, state whether you think the bombing constitutes an act of terrorism. Is it a realistic portrayal? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The author describes the actions and thoughts of pro-life activists at select moments in the novel. Explore the author's depiction of this stance, focusing on her description of their activities and motives (in letters, dialogue, and a the pro-life march). Finally, how might the tone used to describe this stance be indicative of the author's own view?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you address the theme of alcoholism in the novel. In your essay, consider how a least two characters use alcohol. You might also consider what types of alcohol are featured in the novel and in what contexts. Conclude by stating whether you think one or more characters demonstrates symptoms of alcoholism.

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