View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What condition does the new baby have?

2. Where does Bird work?

3. Bird hints to the doctor that ______________________.

4. Bird thinks the people in #38 look like ________________.

5. What does Bird use intense sexuality for?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Bird go after leaving his father-in-law's office?

2. What is significant about Bird's hangover and vomiting in class?

3. Describe the nature of Bird's brief encounter with the transvestite on the street.

4. How is sex and sexuality a means for Bird to avoid responsibility?

5. Waking up sick with a hangover, what does Bird think might serve as partial restitution for the baby's dire situation?

6. What does Bird's father-in-law give to Bird during the visit and why is this an unlikely offering given Bird's troubles with addiction?

7. How is Bird's encounter with the gang a boost to his flailing ego?

8. What is ironic about Bird's using sex to avoid responsibility?

9. Who is Delchef and how is he introduced into the story?

10. What does Bird observe when he visits his father-in-law at the university?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Coming of age is an important theme in A PERSONAL MATTER. Can you cite an example to support this theme? Name two other themes and cite examples to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

A PERSONAL MATTER is a classic story of loss and renewal. What does that classification entail? Why does this novel fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Himiko. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Himiko?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,052 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample