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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. Where did Marcus first meet Gahalowood?

2. Who is the librarian in Somerset who helps Marcus with his research?

3. What did Marcus use to record his and Harry's conversations in jail?

4. Who was Harry's lawyer?

5. What nickname does Tamara Quinn call her husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the townspeople of Somerset react when they find out that Harry had an affair with 15-year-old Nola?

2. How did Tamara Quinn attempt to figure out if Harry was Jewish?

3. What event led directly to Nola's suicide attempt?

4. What topic does Marcus's mother always turn any conversation they have to?

5. How did Jenny's mother, Tamara Quinn, feel about the prospect of a relationship between Harry and Jenny?

6. What is the Writer's Disease Marcus Goldman describes at the book's start?

7. How were Nola Kellergan's remains found?

8. What did Harry tell Marcus about the second chapter of a book?

9. What is one main reason that Jenny Quinn thought Harry might be in love with her in 1975?

10. What crucial piece of information did Nola's friend Nancy Hattaway tell Marcus that resulted in a critical misunderstanding later in the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you think Marcus's decision to publish The Seagulls of Somerset as Luther Caleb's work rights the enormous, earlier wrong that Harry committed against Luther in terms of giving appropriate credit and honoring a writer's work?

Essay Topic 2

What is the defining character trait of Perry Gahalowood? Write an essay analyzing the importance of Gahalowood's actions and friendship with Marcus in reaching the truth about the murders of Nola Kellergan and Deborah Cooper.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Tamara Quinn is so concerned about impressing her friends and associates in Somerset? Why does Tamara act so pretentiously? When forming your answer, take into consideration her journal entries and the brief scenes revealing her dialogue with her therapist.

(see the answer keys)

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