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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. When Fiona continually checks her email and phone while out with Jake and the rest, she is looking for any communication from whom?

2. Whose grave does Richard suggest Fiona look for while she is in Paris?

3. Claire starts coming to the furniture store to help Fiona at what age?

4. What object does Arnaud provide to Fiona so that Fiona may connect with Claire?

5. Roman says that he had grown up in what California location?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Fiona describe the setting in which Nico had died?

2. What conclusion does Yale draw about the bad news he hears from Teresa?

3. Describe the setting of Fiona's meeting with Claire.

4. Explain Fiona's acquisition of Nico's friends as her own friends.

5. Dr. Cheng makes what distinction between secrecy and shame in his conversation with Yale?

6. What simile is used to indicate how Julian feels about Roscoe?

7. How does Fiona injure her hand during her conversation with Jake?

8. Describe the symbolism of Roscoe.

9. What information does Fiona find out about her granddaughter Nicolette during her meeting with Claire?

10. What advice does Cecily give to Fiona about Fiona's meeting with Claire?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look carefully at the passages of The Great Believers that describe the close relationship between Nico and his sister Fiona. What is Makkai’s purpose for discussing at length the nature of Fiona’s closeness to her brother Nico prior to his death?

Essay Topic 2

Focus especially on elements prevalent within the text, such as the unfolding of the AIDS crisis, the pursuit of monogamy, and the effects of homophobia on the American family.

Essay Topic 3

Could The Great Believers be classified as a coming-of-age story? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 840 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample