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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 tells Ignatius to stop singing?

2. What is devouring the Abelman's Dry Goods folder?

3. Why does Ignatius think the building's owner is hoping someone would crash into it?

4. Why does Ignatius like to sit in the backseat?

5. What does Sana say she does not trust?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ignatius think about his new colleagues?

2. Why does Ignatius decide to accept the job at Levy Pants?

3. Why does Ignatius reject the idea of a mortgage?

4. In what way does the porter job advertised in the bar suit both Jones and Lana?

5. What does Ignatius write in The Journal of a Working Boy?

6. Describe Mancuso's lifestyle.

7. Describe Ignatius' appearance at the beginning of the book.

8. How does the beginning of the novel immediately show Irene as an eccentric, but neurotic woman?

9. What problems does Jones have about his job as a porter?

10. What kind of impression do you think Ignatius gives to people around him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Toole's life. In what way do you think his life and personality are reflected in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Look at Toole's only other book, Tthe Neon Bible. What is it about? What themes does it share with A Confederacy of Dunces? Does it have a similar writing style? Does it have a similar structure?

Essay Topic 3

Look at the effect of stereotyping. Why do the students think people stereotype? What are the negative effects of stereotyping? Are their any positive effects? In what way does Toole bypass stereotyping in A Confederacy of Dunces.

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