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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 name of Connell's roommate during his early college years?

2. For what sole purpose has Connell entered the church in the past?

3. Who consoles Marianne outside after her coupe champagne glass is shattered?

4. Connell reflects upon the fact that even when his conversations with Helen are what, "he still feels better after talking to her" (159)?

5. Connell's correspondence with Marianne during her summer away consists mainly of what form?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Connell react to the split between him and Marianne and how does Marianne handle it?

2. What is Marianne's reply when Peggy asks about Marianne's hang-ups?

3. Who is Helen?

4. Describe Helen's impressions of Marianne.

5. What does it mean to Marianne when she wins the full scholarship to graduate school, according to Connell?

6. For what reason does Connell procrastinate when enacting his back-up plan for summer housing?

7. What aspect of Connell and Marianne's high school relationship remains intact in their adult relationship?

8. What happens to prevent Connell from enacting his plan to stay in Dublin over the summer?

9. What happens to foil Connell's Plan B for staying in Dublin over the summer?

10. What does Connell find troubling about the financial arrangements among Marianne, Lorraine, and himself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the function of Jamie's character within the novel? Discuss the characterization methods used by Rooney in depicting Jamie and include in your discussion the reasons that Rooney portrays Jamie in these particular ways.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the instances of irony within the narrative of Normal People and analyze Rooney’s purpose for including each instance you discuss.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of Normal People and one of the novel's main messages. How does Rooney make connections between these elements and how does their juxtaposition help them get across one main message of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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