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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 is the Fedden's handyman?

2. What are Toby and Sophie looking for when they run into Nick and Leo?

3. What does Nick say his father deals in?

4. Where does the line that Nick quotes about baldness come from?

5. What disease does Lady Partridge nurse Badger through?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Wani drink his coffee?

2. Why doesn't Nick like Strauss?

3. What is Wani known never to have done?

4. What bothers Nick about being called a "twit" by Leo?

5. Describe Howard and Simon's relationship.

6. What acting experience has Sophie had?

7. Who is Norman Kent?

8. Why does Nick think Leo is preoccupied with money?

9. How does Nick explain his frequent absences to the Feddens?

10. What does Leo's mother think about his relationship with Pete?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nick is more of a spectator than an actor in the decisions that affect his life. He acts like an appraiser of everyone else's judgments, values, and tastes. Find examples that show Nick to be the cool and removed spectator, critical of others, but unable to ultimately make decisions for himself. Then, analyze whether or not Nick is truly as devoid of power as he seems.

Essay Topic 2

Nick's thesis is on the "style that hides things and reveals things at the same time". Explain how this relates to the larger context of the novel. How does the concept of "style" play a role in the major characters' lives?

Essay Topic 3

Is Nick a hero or an unreliable narrator? Does the reader have sympathy for him as a character? Explain why or why not using examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 605 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample