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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 is Mr. Joyboy's most outstanding feature?

2. What does Dennis feel about Sir Francis' corpse?

3. Who is Mr. Joyboy?

4. What is the base like upon which Sir Francis' coffin is resting?

5. What is Sir Ambrose's profession?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the English expatriates talking about at the cricket club?

2. Who comes through Whispering Glades to view Sir Francis' and who does not come through and why?

3. About what does the author warn readers?

4. What racist question does the secretary ask Dennis and how does he respond?

5. What does Aimée think of Mr. Joyboy's work?

6. What does Sir Ambrose ask of Dennis and what does Dennis find out about Sir Francis as a writer?

7. What does Aimée reveal about herself when she encounters Dennis on the island?

8. What does Sir Francis learn when he next arrives at the studio?

9. Describe the Orchid Room when Dennis visits Whispering Glades the day before Sir Francis' funeral.

10. What does Dennis see as he walks among the graves?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. The Loved One does not end on a happy note. Discuss, in depth, how do you think this type of ending affects a reader's overall satisfaction with the book?

3. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Loved One and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Loved One is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

4. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think The Loved One is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Mr. Joyboy and Dennis. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Aimee and Dennis. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Loved One help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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