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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 Mr. Joyboy ask Aimée?

2. What does Aimée suggest Mr. Joyboy do?

3. In what does Dennis seem unnaturally interested?

4. Of what is Mr. Slump tired?

5. What does Mr. Slump say the poet obviously has?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Mr. Slump described and what does he write to Aimée after she writes of her thoughts about Dennis?

2. Describe Aimée's date with Mr. Joyboy to meet his mother.

3. Describe the conversation between Mr. Joyboy and Aimée concerning Dennis' poems.

4. Why does Aimée believe she will be writing her last letter to Guru Brahmin?

5. How is Mr. Joyboy described as he improves the smile of a corpse?

6. What do Dennis and Aimée do at Lovers' Nook?

7. How does Aimée react to the latest love poem from Dennis, and what does she not realize about the poem?

8. What is the Lovers' Nook?

9. What does the narrator explain about Aimée and where she was raised at the opening of this chapter?

10. Describe Dennis' conversation with Aimée when he follows her to Nutburger Café.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Loved One based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Loved One is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider The Loved One a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Loved One help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Loved One? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Loved One to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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