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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 Dennis place on the benches in the church?

2. Who is Ambrose Abercrombie?

3. What did Sir Francis once work as?

4. What do the various zones on the grounds in the funeral home represent?

5. What does the receptionist ask Dennis that makes him visualize Sir Francis when Dennis finds him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Sir Ambrose think Sir Francis loses his job?

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

3. What do the men discuss about Juanita del Pablo?

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

5. What does Aimée do to Sir Francis?

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

7. How does Dennis respond to finding a dead Sir Francis?

8. Who arrives and what does he say to Sir Francis?

9. Why is Mr. Schultz displeased with Dennis and how does Dennis try to convince Mr. Schultz to feel otherwise?

10. What does the receptionist say to Dennis about burials?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Loved One belongs to the satirical novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the satirical novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a satirical novel and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Evelyn Waugh.

2. What in Waugh's background may have helped him in writing The Loved One? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Loved One.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Loved One. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Loved One. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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