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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. The archaeologists may think that Colonel Sanders is a ________________.

2. What is the picture on the side of the bus that stops beside the narrator?

3. What is sprinkled throughout the catalog?

4. Where did the narrator meet his friend, Howard, for lunch?

5. Who does the narrator say are not heroes anymore?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Who is Howard and why is he so depressed about the word "lemon"?

4. Why does the narrator attribute his academic doom to classroom seating?

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

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

7. How does the narrator recall growing up in his family in small-town Indiana?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a "character" sketch of the state of New Jersey. What personality shines through for you for this state? Did Shepherd make you want to learn more and perhaps visit one day? What would you most like to see? What is the one fact or interesting feature that you can recall about New Jersey? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the format of the book. How does the narrator distinguish between current activity and flashbacks to his past? What is the difference is style and tone? Are the differentiations separated visually in any way? How did this improve your reading of this book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Shepherd's writing style. How is he different from other writers of his time? What are some of his characteristic writing techniques? Identify some examples of his classic style in this book.

(see the answer keys)

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