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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 does Lomax threaten to fire after finding out about Stoner's affair?

2. Who is described as a cripple in the book?

3. Who is described as being only a little annoyed by Katherine and Stoner's relationship?

4. How does Stoner feel his presence is to Katherine that makes him stop seeing her in Chapter XII?

5. Who does the person who questions Stoner about his conduct against Walker agree with after hearing his argument?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Edith's social life change after her father's death?

2. How does William begin questioning the value of his life in Chapter XI?

3. How do William and Katherine begin their love affair with one another?

4. How is William able to get his preferred class schedule back from Lomax in Chapter XIV?

5. How does William react when Finch asks him if he wanted to be the new head of the English department?

6. How does William react when Finch suggests he pass Walker because he could lose his job?

7. How is William's first out-of-body experience described in the book?

8. How does William's relationship with Edith change after he begins having an affair with Katherine?

9. How is William's first meeting with Charles Walker described?

10. How does Finch try and help William not lose his job over his affair with Katherine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the author's portrayal of sexuality presented in the book. Part 1.) How is William's view of sexuality different with Edith than from his relationship with Katherine? Part 2.) What is he able to learn about the connection sexuality has with the mind from his relationship with Katherine?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of family is one presented several times throughout the book. Part 1.) What kind of relationship did William have with his parents and what impact did this relationship have on his actions later in life? Part 2.) How is Edith's view of family flawed due to her experiences with her family growing up? Part 3.) Considering William and Edith's family lives, how does their creation of their own family appear somewhat ironic and why is this significant?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the concept of the University that is portrayed in the book through William and his school friends. What are the different views of the University presented by William, David Masters, and Archer Sloane in the book and whose idea do you most agree with?

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