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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 common ground did Daphne find with Engin when she took him to Altavista?

2. What does Daphne say will be the downfall of the State of Jefferson movement?

3. What does Honey cut her finger on at The Golden Spike?

4. How does Daphne say Hugo avoids responsibility for Ellery’s death?

5. How does Daphne characterize Engin’s relationship with Islam?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Daphne put the discussion of Islam and ISIS to rest?

2. How does Daphne characterize her experience going to church with Honey?

3. What positions do the editorials take on the State of Jefferson, in the paper Daphne reads?

4. How does Daphne describe the rhythms of her sex life?

5. What kind of access does Daphne have with the outside world from Altavista?

6. What does the goat bell in Daphne’s house remind her?

7. What is the state of Daphne’s finances?

8. How does Daphne describe her feelings about her separation from Engin?

9. What is the economic and cultural state of Altavista?

10. What unexpected connection does Daphne make at the café?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what ways is The Golden State a novel for our times? What current events are reflected there? How has the book’s relevance changed since it was written—if at all? Do you think this book is bound to its times, or do you think it will be meaningful after the times have changed?

Essay Topic 2

Where is the climax of this book? Are there different climaxes? What questions does each climax resolve? What questions does each climax leave unanswered?

Essay Topic 3

When is The Golden State most itself? What is its characteristic passage, or moment? What makes that moment or passage the most representative of the book as a whole? Are there any places where the book seems to depart from its typical self, as if to become a different book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,008 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample