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

2. What is the narrator's most common position in life?

3. What did Flick say that his grandfather drank to cure a cold?

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

5. According to the narrator, Van people are ___________________.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What defense mechanisms did the kids in the back of the room develop in order to deflect the teachers' questions?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a character study of the narrator. What are his physical characteristics? What are his personality traits? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What else can you say about the narrator?

Essay Topic 2

What is the point of view of this book? Why did Shepherd use this point of view? Is it the only way the book could have realistically been written? How else could Shepherd have used point of view to alter the rhythm of the book? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall settings for the stories. What is important about each setting as it is revealed? What are the time periods of the stories? How important are the time periods to the attitudes and issues of the people?

(see the answer keys)

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