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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 covering political stories, how does Thompson generally feel around large groups of unconnected people who cannot mix well?

2. At times during slow periods on the campaign trail, what do journalists find themselves resenting?

3. What journalistic term does Thompson use to describe Wallace's speeches in "July?"

4. In what city was Bobby Kennedy assassinated?

5. At the end of "June," why does Thompson compare the journalists to a particularly notorious group?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jerry Rubin tarnish Thompson's reputation?

2. What are some ways that Thompson organizes this book?

3. What is significant about the rumored "ten thousand naked hippies?"

4. What does Thompson say about his toenails, and why is it important?

5. In the Introduction, how does Thompson explain his drug use?

6. In what way is Thompson's place in the journalistic world an exercise in class-mixing?

7. In the early days of the campaign trail, how does Thompson's demeanor and attire compare to the other journalists?

8. How do Thompson and the other journalists deal with their boredom in "May"?

9. What are some characteristics of Thompson's writing?

10. What is significant about Hunter S. Thompson's description of himself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the presidential candidates in the following format. Be sure to mention how Thompson perceives each of these men and how he feels about them, as well as how they ran their campaign.

Part 1) George McGovern.

Part 2) Richard Nixon.

Part 3) Edmund Muskie.

Part 4) George Wallace.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

How does Thompson simultaneously both promote and subvert honesty in journalism? In what ways is his account of the campaign trail in 1972 completely accurate? In what ways is it factually incorrect? How does his use of satire and exaggerations help to engage the reader into experiencing what the author is experiencing? How do some of his exaggerations undermine some of the presidential candidates? How does this relate to Thompson's annoyance at the dishonesty present in several politicians?

Essay Topic 3

What is significant about Jerry Rubin boarding Muskie's train with Thompson's credentials? How does Rubin behave and how does this reflect on Thompson? Despite his actions, what valid points do Rubin and his colleague bring up during Muskie's final speech? How does this ultimately discredit Muskie as a presidential candidate? What is the purpose of the promise of bringing ten thousand naked hippies to peacefully protest and demonstrate during a convention in Florida? How is this indicative of the changing political climate in America?

(see the answer keys)

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