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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. Who gives Theo his watch and ring to wear for the meeting with the underground art dealers in Chapter 11: “The Gentleman’s Canal”?

2. How long ago does Platt say that Andy died in Chapter 9: “Everything of Possibility”?

3. What room number does Theo have at the hotel in Amsterdam in Chapter 11: “The Gentleman’s Canal”?

4. Who tells Theo that he’s seen men stalking outside of the antiques shop in Chapter 10: “The Idiot”?

5. What does Boris tell Theo he replaced the stolen painting with in the pillowcase in Chapter 10: “The Idiot”?

Short Essay Questions

1. What takes place when Theo meets with the art thieves in Chapter 11: “The Gentleman’s Canal”?

2. Where does Theo meet Boris in Chapter 10: “The Idiot”? What does Boris confess to Theo?

3. What does Theo confess to Hobie in Chapter 9: “Everything of Possibility”?

4. How does Theo’s mindset change once he has begun classes in Chapter 8: “The Shop-Behind-the-Shop, continued”?

5. What does Theo discover when he visits his old apartment in Chapter 8: “The Shop-Behind-the-Shop, continued”? How does Theo respond?

6. What does Theo learn about Havistock Irving from Hobie in Chapter 10: “The Idiot”?

7. When does Chapter 10: “The Idiot” begin? What obstacles is Theo facing in the beginning of the chapter?

8. What setting is Theo at in the beginning of Chapter 7: “The Shop-Behind-the-Shop”?

9. Why does Theo assist Hobie and help out with the shop in Chapter 8: “The Shop-Behind-the-Shop, continued”?

10. Why does Theo study relentlessly in Chapter 7: “The Shop-Behind-the-Shop”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Theo’s “secret” – the hidden painting – and his reasons for keeping this secret to himself. What does Theo envision as the consequences he might face for having taken the painting from the museum? Are these fears well-founded? Why or why not? What would be the wisest course of action for Theo to take regarding the painting?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the character of Havistock Irving in the narrative. Where does Theo encounter Mr. Irving? What information does he learn from Hobie regarding this character? How does the presence and past of Mr. Irving help to explain the Lucius Reeve situation?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the narrative style of The Goldfinch. Is the narrative related in past or present tense? How does it change? Is the narrator involved in the action of the story? Why do you think the author chose to use this narrative style?

(see the answer keys)

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