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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. Where does Lotterman send Paul to do some research?

2. Where did Al build his bar?

3. Which of the following characters does Paul say is drunk constantly?

4. What do Paul and Yeamon fish for?

5. Who does Paul become friends with in this section?

Short Essay Questions

1. What problems does Paul have with the old man in Chapter 1?

2. Why can Paul not work at the beginning of this chapter?

3. What happens to Sala at the end of Chapter 3?

4. What problems do Paul, Sala and Yeaman run into at the bar?

5. What do Paul and Yeamon talk about at Al's?

6. Describe how Al built up his business.

7. In what way do all the characters working on the newspaper give Paul a bad first impression of his new job and life in San Juan ?

8. What does Sala tell Paul at Al's?

9. What signs are there that newspaper will soon fold?

10. What does Paul do on his first day at the newspaper?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick a character from the novel and discuss his/her goals and motives. Does he/she achieve his/her motive? Does he/she share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do his/her goals clash with other characters? How do the character's goals and motives affect his/her interactions with each other?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Thompson's writing style. How would you describe his prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does Thompson's style give to the story?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the novel's chronological setting.

1) What were the main concerns during the 1960's? How does Thompson express these concerns?

2) In what ways do you think the novel's meaning would change if it were set in today's society?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 842 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample