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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. When everyone else goes to Chez Claude and Toby and Nick stay home, what does Toby make Nick for lunch?

2. What is Nick going to do in the afternoon after Wani leaves?

3. What does Nick take out of Wani's luggage?

4. Who gives the Feddens a rococo ewer?

5. Who is riding in the car with Wani to the wedding?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jonty Stafford tell Catherine about the Hotel Diocletian?

2. What happens to the Ouradi's first son?

3. How does the news of the affair between Gerald and Penny break in the media?

4. What does Nick fear most after reading the Edelman book?

5. What is Wobbly Thursday?

6. Why is Rachel so upset with Nick?

7. Describe the game of welly-whanging.

8. Who is Nat getting married to?

9. How does Nick know Nat Henmer?

10. Who is Javier?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Early in the text, Nick receives a gift of cologne called "Je Promets". At the end of the novel, an ad for the cologne appears in the back pages of Ogee magazine. Explain the symbolism and significance of this cologne and how it represents the changes that have occurred in Nick's life.

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's last name "Guest" symbolizes his role as an outsider who is allowed to visit momentarily and precariously in the world of the more socially advanced. Using examples from the text, explain how Nick is considered a "guest" by other characters. How does his room's location in the Fedden household further symbolize his relationship to the family?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 593 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample