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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 do Margot and the person who introduces herself to Margot discuss?

2. When does Lucia live?

3. When did Margot once live in this city?

4. Where does Margot stay?

5. What does Margot think she and the sisters will need in the library?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the situation about the cassette tapes affect Margot's life even years later?

2. What are Margot's impressions of Professor Eugene Chapin?

3. How does Margot first offend two American travelers on the train and then bond with them?

4. Describe the scene when the taxi gets a flat tire.

5. What does Margot decide to do in Chapter 1 and who is against her doing so?

6. Why are two of the postulants in trouble?

7. What is the significance of the cassette tapes when Margot's mother is dying?

8. What did Alessandro do on the day of the November 4th flood?

9. How does Margot respond to working at the convent?

10. What is the significance of Harvard University to Margot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles can often say much about a story. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think there is something ironic about the title The Sixteen Pleasures? Why or why not. Discuss fully.

2. What do you think are the Sixteen Pleasures? How do the sixteen pleasures relate to three of the main characters? Two of the minor characters?

3. Thoroughly discuss whether you think the title of the book is the best one possible and why. Why do you think the book is titled The Sixteen Pleasures? Would you be interested in reading this book if you saw it on the library shelf?

4. Discuss the title of the book in relation to the theme of religion. How are the two connected? Do you think religion as it is represented in The Sixteen Pleasures is contrary to the idea of pleasure? Who among the religious orders do you think would believe pleasure is a positive thing to seek? Who do you think would believe one should deny themselves pleasure? Discuss thoroughly with examples.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss one of the following in relation to The Sixteen Pleasures:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Margot at the beginning of The Sixteen Pleasures versus Margot at the end of The Sixteen Pleasures. How are they similar? How are they different? How does she change? Do you believe she is a better person at the beginning of The Sixteen Pleasures or at the end? Or do you think she has not changed? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Alessandro and Tony Reynolds. How are they similar? 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 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.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels and short stories have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Sixteen Pleasures, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The Sixteen Pleasures. (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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