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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. What does Ricky say he doesn't do?

2. How much is the check for that Wani gives Nick?

3. What is the name of Lord Kessler's estate?

4. What is the title of the book about the election that Nick looks through in the bookstore?

5. Who lives and dies in Highgate Village?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the design of the Ogee office.

2. What bothers Nick about being called a "twit" by Leo?

3. Why is Wani nervous about leaving his things at the Pond?

4. What is Wani known never to have done?

5. Describe Gerald's postcard to Nick.

6. How does Wani drink his coffee?

7. Why does Nick think Leo is preoccupied with money?

8. How is Hawkeswood described in Pevsner?

9. How does Badger get his nickname?

10. Why does Nick feel embarrassed around Elena?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Deconstruct the concept of the "line of beauty". Find examples of when this term is used and explain all of the different meanings the "line of beauty" has throughout the text.

Essay Topic 2

The context of the novel is Great Britain in the 1980s. How would the plot be different if it took place in another time period? Why is this time period necessary to reveal subtleties of plot --AIDS scare, economics, politics, etc.?

Essay Topic 3

Nick is surrounded by many people who love "things more than people". Using examples in the text, explain how the snobbishness of the wealthy puts a heavy value on possessions over relationships. How do the characters relate to their possessions? How does this compare to how they relate to each other?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 527 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample