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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 speculate that the archaeologists will find in the city?
(a) Minivans.
(b) iPods.
(c) TV commercials.
(d) Laptops.

2. What item in the catalog would appeal to the violent?
(a) Brass knuckles.
(b) Fake teeth.
(c) Jump ropes.
(d) Chalk.

3. Why might the films found on Madison Ave. lead the archaeologists to think they are scriptures?
(a) There are so many people represented in them.
(b) They are altering belief systems.
(c) The word Ave in Latin means prayer.
(d) The announcer's voices sound like God.

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

5. According to the narrator, Van people are ___________________.
(a) Bearded hippies.
(b) Conformists.
(c) Teenagers.
(d) Soccer moms.

Short Answer Questions

1. The narrator compares Van Culture with the ___________________.

2. What did Howard publish on behalf of his client, the National Lemon Growers Association?

3. According to Howard, what are the BNAs?

4. The archaeologists may think that a dog in a commercial is a __________________.

5. What might the archaeologists think about people squeezing rolls of Charmin bathroom tissue?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator's experience in the Lincoln Tunnel mirror his demeanor during his school years?

2. Describe the narrator's surprise inspiration in Algebra class and how he avoided looking like the failure he was sure he was.

3. What was the worst case scenario of a BNA?

4. With what does the narrator credit the Johnson Smith catalog for being and how will it stand up as an American culture artifact?

5. Why does the narrator focus on TV commercials as a true reflection of American society?

6. What are the typical bumper sticker messages found on campers as opposed to the stickers found on vans?

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

8. What prompts the narrator to think of the Johnson Smith catalog?

9. What prompts the narrator's memory about the great ice cream war?

10. Define a BNA and cite some supporting examples.

(see the answer keys)

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