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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 was the name of the psychic the police used to help them find Mr. Treadwell?

2. What does Babette like to drink when she comes from class?

3. Where has Bee been?

4. In what building is Jack's academic department?

5. What is the German teacher's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Characterize Heinrich in terms of the discussion about the rain he has with Jack. What does DeLillo want us to understand about him?

2. Why does Jack think the Treadwells did not ask for help when they were lost?

3. What is Babette's attitude toward parents watching television with their children?

4. Why did Jack name Heinrich Heinrich?

5. Describe Jack's German teacher. What does he look like?

6. What is the mood of the family when they are shopping at the mall?

7. Describe the student body of the College-on-the-Hill.

8. Who makes up the group of teachers in the pop culture department?

9. Describe how Murray interacts with Jack and Babette at the supermarket.

10. Why do they bring Wilder to the doctor in Chapter 16?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Another critique of dominant society that DeLillo offers in this novel is Dylar, a fictional drug that is as absurd as it is plausible. Consider Dylar on its symbolic literal and symbolic levels, and discuss how this pharmaceutical affects these characters, and what DeLillo wants to say about a reliance on designer prescription drugs. Was DeLillo prescient? Based on your research into medications, are there drugs on the market like Dylar?

Essay Topic 2

Considering the first two Books of the novel, analyze the way DeLillo uses feelings of non-chalance and calm to characterize the Gladney family. Offer textual examples of how they behave during hectic, stressful, or chaotic situations and explain the fictional techniques (especially dialogue and setting) that help the author achieve this characterization.

Essay Topic 3

Foreshadowing is an important technique. Write an essay that explains how DeLillo foreshadows the Airborne Toxic Event with a series of prior events. Describe the events and be specific about his foreshadowing technique.

(see the answer keys)

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