View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Art's father offer to buy him?

2. With what type of dog is Happy mated?

3. What kind of vehicle does Abdullah drive?

4. What is Arthur doing when Art arrives at the party at the Bellwethers'?

5. Who is Cleveland's sister?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Art's life filled with secrets?

2. How do the precipice and the cloud factory symbolize Art's fantasies for his new life?

3. Why is Art so critical of Phlox's French major?

4. What are some of the phases that Phlox goes through in her life?

5. What fantasy does Art employ when he is about to make love to Phlox for the first time?

6. Why are Cleveland's antics a source of possible problems for Art?

7. How does Art meet Arthur?

8. How does the author use foreshadowing when talking about Art's interest in Arthur's homosexuality?

9. What does Teddy's mother do when she discovers what the boys have done to Happy?

10. What does Cleveland do to get back at Jane's parents?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a character study of Arthur. What are his physical characteristics? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Arthur?

Essay Topic 2

The author uses several instances of irony in the book. Cite at least two examples you can identify in the story and note why they are examples of irony.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of gay men in the 1980s. What precedents do they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions do they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century gay men do not have?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 951 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample