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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which body part did Noah's father Marc lose within the first month of World War I?
(a) His hand.
(b) His leg.
(c) His ear.
(d) His foot.

2. How long before the narrative present did Noah's younger sister die?
(a) 3 years.
(b) 3 months.
(c) 1 year.
(d) 9 months.

3. Noah talks to Michael about the photograph depicting Joan with which politician?
(a) Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
(b) Barack Obama.
(c) Mitt Romney.
(d) Hillary Clinton.

4. Noah tells Michael on the way to the convenience store in Chapter II: Twenty Questions that his late dog Mendeleev had been what breed?
(a) Bichon frise.
(b) Schnauzer.
(c) Shih tzu.
(d) Malamute.

5. What object previously owned by Pere Sonne does Michael show interest in during Chapter II: Twenty Questions?
(a) A wind-up robot.
(b) A painting.
(c) A photograph.
(d) A wind-up bird.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is NOT a piece of advice Rosa gives to Noah about Michael as she leaves his apartment in Chapter II: Twenty Questions?

2. For how many years has Joan been deceased by the narrative present?

3. Noah's mother died in July of which year, the month before the date written on the mailer Noah finds?

4. What type of family heirlooms did Victor steal during Joan's funeral?

5. Who tells Noah that it had likely been Victor who was responsible for the crime to which Amber confessed?

Short Essay Questions

1. For what purpose does Donoghue use a beanbag as a metaphor for Noah's treatment by his parents during his childhood?

2. Discuss the possible significance of the novel's epigraph and name two themes that appear within its content.

3. In what way is the home visit scene in Chapter II: Twenty Questions an ironic one?

4. What is the significance of the book entitled Pere Sonne: A Life's Work featured in Chapter III: Takeoff Speed?

5. What does Rosa Figueroa name as the main danger if Noah were to refuse to house Michael?

6. Describe the photographs that are included alongside the novel's epigraph.

7. How did Noah's wife Joan feel about traveling during her life?

8. To what location is Noah getting ready to travel in Chapter I: The Calling and for what purpose is he traveling there?

9. What is the symbolism of the 9/11 poster featured in Chapter III: Takeoff Speed?

10. What is revealed to have been the cause of Joan's death in Chapter II: Twenty Questions?

(see the answer keys)

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