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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 only thing that Claire refuses to do to keep peace in her family?

2. What does Noemie's father offer to teach Newman when they first meet?

3. What does Nioche confide in Newman is the biggest struggle for him regarding his daughter?

4. How does Newman feel about the idea that he isn't good enough to marry Claire?

5. Who coordinates delivery of Noemie's first painting to Newman?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Newman pays several visits to Claire, what does he come to enjoy about her?

2. What happened that made Newman decide to leave business?

3. What does Newman think will happen that will make him return to business?

4. How does Mrs. Tristam respond when she learns that Newman has never been married?

5. What surprising event happens as Urbain and his wife are preparing to go to a ball?

6. What does Mrs. Tristam tell Newman Claire's family wants for her?

7. Why does Noemie tell her father to offer to teach Newman French?

8. What causes Claire to shift from threatening to banish Newman if he talked about marriage again to making him wait 6 months instead?

9. How did her family feel about Claire's decision to give up her right to her husband's money?

10. Why does Newman allow Tristam to choose a new apartment for him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe at least four negative aspects of having a protagonist as good-natured as Newman. Make sure to use evidence from the novel to support your position.

Essay Topic 2

Write a well-reasoned argument discussing whether or not Newman is a good role model for young, male readers.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss why it was necessary for Valentin to die in "The American." Make sure to discuss how he dies, what effect his death has on the text in general and on Newman in particular, and why those consequences were necessary for the story.

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This section contains 788 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample