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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. What does David say happened to his mother in 1971?

2. In Chapter 28, what does the narrator assume all IRS agents want?

3. Why does David present information about his childhood in Chapter 22?

4. Where does Chapter 25 take place?

5. Where is Sylvanshine in Chapter 30?

Short Essay Questions

1. What concerns Lane Dean Jr. most about the work he does in Chapter 33?

2. Why doesn't David exit the van in Chapter 24 with the other people?

3. In Chapter 27, why is the word "profitable" not used officially?

4. In Chapter 22, why does David take a long time getting to the train?

5. What task is the narrator given by Gary Manshardt in Chapter 35?

6. In Chapter 33, how does Lane Dean Jr. perform his work?

7. Why does Sylvanshine talk to Reynolds over the phone in Chapter 30?

8. What are IRS phantoms?

9. In Chapter 22, what reason does David give for going to the IRS for a job?

10. In Chapter 22, what details does David give to explain his parents' divorce?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is characterization accomplished in this novel? Consider the fact that characters will appear in one chapter and not again for several chapters. Consider how many of the characters interact with minor and unnamed characters. Also, how is characterization accomplished in chapters that exist to develop the IRS and setting only?

Essay Topic 2

What is the role of interview in "The Pale King"? Consider the interviews conducted with tax payers, IRS employees and people wishing to become IRS employees. What message is conveyed about the interviewing process?

Essay Topic 3

How do characters remain the same as they age? How do they change? Compare and contrast the characters who change vs. those who remain the same. What message does this deliver about childhood and the transition into adulthood?

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