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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 the profession of the person in #64?

2. How old is Adam?

3. What is Claire frightened of at the Dublin airport?

4. Why does Claire think that Adam really doesn't want to talk to her when she runs into him?

5. Why will Claire not sell her share of their flat to James?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is especially gratifying to Claire about the dinner she shops for and prepares for her family?

2. What advice does Claire get from Laura about dating a younger man?

3. What is the significance of the novel's title, WATERMELON?

4. What does Adam's invitation to his flat foreshadow for Claire?

5. How does Claire find out about Adam's intentions toward Helen?

6. How does Claire show her feelings of loss as symbolized by her missing luggage at the airport?

7. What does Claire learn about the woman James is involved with and what does Claire decide to do?

8. How does Claire arrange it so that she runs into Adam?

9. Describe Claire's feelings of humiliation and jealousy.

10. What irritates Claire when she and Adam meet for coffee?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Betrayal seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of betrayal? Why does it have such a prevalent place in Claire's life? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 2

Project into the future ten years after the end of the novel and write a brief synopsis for Claire's life. Will Adam still be such a powerful presence in her life? What kind of child is Kate? What role does James play in Claire and Kate's lives? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the role of the family in WATERMELON. What does it mean for each of the main characters? How does the family evolve in its support of each other? How typical is this family to most Irish families living during the 1990s?

(see the answer keys)

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