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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. Where did Julian go to boarding school?

2. What does Julian's boyfriend Hahn do?

3. What does Will try to retrieve from an agent's hand?

4. Where does John Leal stand to preach to people during the pro-life march?

5. What does Phoebe tell Will she learned about palace eunuchs in China?

Short Essay Questions

1. What buildings did the explosions in Chapter 31 destroy?

2. Why does Phoebe move out of her apartment shared with Will?

3. What type of flowers does Will send Phoebe while he is in Beijing?

4. Whom does Will email in order to learn more about the Jejah cult?

5. Why does Will move to Manhattan in June after breaking up with Phoebe?

6. What does Will notice when he helps Phoebe zip her dress?

7. What does Julian's boyfriend do to Phoebe that makes her uncomfortable?

8. Whom does Will meet at the bar called Exhibit?

9. Why does Phoebe claim she needs to be back from vacation with Will by 5:00?

10. Whom does Will meet one day walking home from work in Manhattan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Phoebe is one of the novel's central figures. By means of varying the perspective from which the story is told, the author gives varying interpretations for the different motives behind Phoebe's behavior. Write an essay in which you examine Phoebe's motives for the bombing. Cite evidence from the text to support your conclusion.

Essay Topic 2

Select one of the three primary characters (Will, Phoebe, or John Leal) and discuss the changes that this character undergoes. These changes may include physical or emotional changes as well as changes in relationships with other characters. In addition to addressing this change, discuss how this change propels the novel's plot.

Essay Topic 3

Many of the scenes feature men and women performing and representing the traditional binary (male-female) gender system. Write an essay analyzing the role that gender plays in the novel, specifically how gender seems to affect different characters' behaviors, motives, or beliefs.

(see the answer keys)

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