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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What word does Wallace use to define "Lynchian"?
(a) Happy.
(b) Kitchy.
(c) Tomfoolery.
(d) Macabre.

2. How does Wallace believe "Lost Highway" can be interpreted?
(a) In many ways.
(b) As a social commentary.
(c) As an epilogue.
(d) As a piece of religious propaganda.

3. After "Dune," why did Lynch begin to work on smaller projects?
(a) So he could have more control.
(b) So he could educate.
(c) So he could spend time with his family.
(d) So he could avoid drama.

4. What television show does Wallace compare the cloggers to?
(a) "Survivor."
(b) "The Beverly Hillbillies."
(c) "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."
(d) "The Real World."

5. Wallace believes fighting technology lies in ________.
(a) War.
(b) Compliance.
(c) Imitation.
(d) Conservatism.

6. When does Wallace realize he is no longer a Midwesterner?
(a) When he gets lost on a farm.
(b) When he notices he dresses differently.
(c) When he can't understand the accent.
(d) When he realizes he can't enjoy the carnival.

7. According to Wallace, commercials make people watch more television because they want to understand the _______.
(a) In-joke.
(b) World.
(c) Product.
(d) Concept.

8. Wallace studied Mathematics in college because the straight lines reminded him of what?
(a) The windows of skyscrapers.
(b) Lines of Midwestern geography.
(c) The grids of sudoku.
(d) His dreams.

9. What activity other than tennis does Wallace cite as using geometry?
(a) Video games.
(b) Billiards.
(c) Darts.
(d) Swimming.

10. Why was Wallace fascinated by tornados?
(a) They are massive.
(b) They define the terrain.
(c) They terrify people.
(d) They don't follow rules of geometry.

11. The clogger competition leaves Wallace with a sense of a specific ______.
(a) Journey.
(b) Community.
(c) Rhythm.
(d) Talent.

12. Hix comments that he feels the post-structuralists' argument makes the concept of an author _______.
(a) Perfect.
(b) Empty.
(c) Inflated.
(d) Incorrect.

13. According to Wallace, how do commercials respond to the pressure for people to stop watching so much television?
(a) Commercials convince people television is reality.
(b) Commercials convince people they need television.
(c) Commercials convince viewers they are smart.
(d) Commercials convince people they need more products.

14. Why does Wallace see fighting irony as "impossible"?
(a) It insults those who question it.
(b) It is too powerful.
(c) It's an integral part of the world.
(d) People enjoy it.

15. How does Wallace describe the public restrooms at the desert competition?
(a) Clean.
(b) Average.
(c) Disgusting.
(d) Heavenly.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the scenario Wallace describes in "E Unibus Pluram," what is the professor's belief?

2. At the beginning of "E Unibus Pluram," what does Wallace describe fiction writers as NOT enjoying?

3. Why does Wallace feel the theme of consumption is appropriate for this state fair?

4. According to Wallace, how did Leyner's image-fiction attempt to solve irony?

5. While on the set of "Lost Highway," why does Wallace rarely see Lynch?

(see the answer keys)

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