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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 shocks Desdemona and Lefty about Sourmelina's husband, Jimmy Zismo?

2. What does Lefty teach Desdemona to help her pass the English literacy test required for entry into America?

3. How does Lefty manage to keep the men in the gaming room from stealing his winnings?

4. Which of the following factors complicates Tessie's relationship with Father Mike?

5. What happens to Milton as he is about to go into war that Desdemona believes is an answer to her prayers?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the narrator in Book 2, Ex Ovo Omina.

2. Why are do the members of Temple No. 1 raise silkworms and produce silk fabric and clothing?

3. Describe the events that allow Desdemona and Lefty to depart from Smyrna.

4. How does the narrator characterize Lefty's gradual demise?

5. Describe Sourmelina's appearance when Lefty and Desdemona first arrive in Detroit. What is the significance of the way she looks?

6. Describe Detroit in 1967.

7. Describe Marcus Wyxzewixard Challouehliczilczese Grimes.

8. Why does Lefty not marry either of the village girls that Desdemona attempts to set him up with?

9. What is the conflict between Desdemona and Lefty in the chapter "Marriage on Ice"?

10. Why do the Ford Sociological Department workers visit Lefty's home? What do they find that concerns them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Friendships with females are important to Cal/Calliope's journey towards self-discovery. Select two of the following females that the narrator befriends: Julie Kikuchi, Clementine Stark, the Obscure Object , Zora. Discuss:

1) Cal/Calliope's relationship with each woman.

2) The impact of this relationship on her view of herself.

3) Compare the two relationships. How are they different? How are they the same? Which has a greater influence on the person that Cal/Calliope becomes?

Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

At the beginning of Middlesex, the narrator (Cal) tells the reader that the purpose for telling this story is to record the family history that led to his hermaphroditism. ("And so before it's too late I want to get it down for good: this roller-coaster ride of a single gene through time.") Do you believe that this is the only reason for writing this story? Why or why not? What are some other reasons why Cal chooses to write this story?Cite several specific examples from the novel to support your viewpoint.

Essay Topic 3

Secrets play a major role in Middlesex. Discuss and analyze three secrets in the novel by:

1) Describing what is being kept a secret and why.

2) The impact of the secrets on the characters and plot of the story.

3) The commentary that the author is trying to make about secrets based on these examples.

(see the answer keys)

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