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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the narrator ruminate on as he sits in the tunnel?
(a) The meaning of life.
(b) His crazy relatives.
(c) Politics.
(d) The unknowability of God.

2. What disturbing information did the groundskeeper at the park tell the boys?
(a) A dead body was found in the park.
(b) The water from the spigot was unfiltered river water.
(c) The won't be getting lights for the baseball diamond.
(d) The park will be closed for the rest of the summer.

3. How does the narrator characterize himself?
(a) Aggressive.
(b) Brilliant.
(c) Self-confident.
(d) Self-defeating.

4. Why did Howard want to sell his car?
(a) He needed a station wagon for the family.
(b) It was a lemon.
(c) He got a new car every two years.
(d) It was breaking down a lot.

5. What is one of the "get rich quick" products in the catalog?
(a) Mushroom gardens.
(b) Envelope stuffing.
(c) Candy cookers.
(d) Mink farms.

Short Answer Questions

1. Ironically, the happy, family, outdoorsy vehicle known as the camper is now used by the Mafia as ____________________________.

2. The archaeologists will probably think that TV commercials are some form of ______________.

3. What might be a typical correspondence course offered through the catalog?

4. According to Howard, what are the BNAs?

5. For the most part, Camper people are _________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how Mr. Leggett managed to drive The Happy Cow out of business.

2. Why do people find items such as those found in the Johnson Smith catalog to be humorous?

3. What is the imaginary Sociology lecture the narrator gives on car culture and describe the differences between the Camper Crowd and Van people.

4. What prompts the narrator to think about advertising and a future archaeological dig where New York City is excavated?

5. What ironies does the narrator point out in the actuality of camper and van usage as opposed to the typical perceptions of the vehicles?

6. What human foibles does the Johnson Smith catalog prey on and why does the narrator appreciate it?

7. How was the great Ice Cream War another example of brains vs. brawn in the narrator's life?

8. What scenario does the narrator imagine in which archaeologists discover television advertising and what are their perceptions of it?

9. What are the differences in driving styles between the Camper Crowd and van people?

10. What has the NLGA done to try to counteract the negative perceptions of lemons?

(see the answer keys)

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