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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. In what room in the house does Noah keep the last few boxes of his late sister's belongings?

2. The epigraph of the novel classifies the novel's title as which part of speech?

3. How many years older than his late younger sister was Noah?

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

5. How many photographs are included in the text prior to Chapter I: The Call?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Michael react when Noah asks him about the knife he brought to school one time?

2. For what reason did Noah and Joan refrain from having children?

3. To what phone call does the title of Chapter I: The Call refer?

4. In what way was Noah's mother Margot involved in her father Pere Sonne's photography career?

5. What does the landline phone symbolize within Chapter I: The Call?

6. For how many years has Noah been alone since losing his wife Joan and in what way does her presence still resonate with him?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Donoghue's decision to include humor within the novel entitled Akin. What purpose did Donoghue have in mind when including these instances of humor and how does the inclusion of these instances support the overarching themes and messages of the text?

Essay Topic 2

What messages does Donoghue send to the audience about the themes of isolation and outreach?

Essay Topic 3

How does Donoghue use sensory details in order to strengthen the text’s messages? Discuss at least two passages that include the use of sensory details and pull quotes from these passages to support your claim.

(see the answer keys)

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