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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At the beginning of "E Unibus Pluram," what does Wallace describe fiction writers as NOT enjoying?
(a) Watching television.
(b) Reading.
(c) Being watched.
(d) Talking to people.

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

3. According to Wallace, why do Easterners take their vacations to be isolated?
(a) Because they are antisocial.
(b) Because they are agoraphobic.
(c) Because they're always around people.
(d) Because they love nature.

4. Wallace isn't sure what _____ everyone at the car race is waiting for.
(a) Event.
(b) News.
(c) Food.
(d) Victory.

5. Wallace describes his tennis career as ______ successful.
(a) Moderately.
(b) Less than.
(c) Wildly.
(d) Briefly.

6. Why does Wallace get ill on his first day at the desert competition?
(a) Because he rode a rollercoaster.
(b) Because he eats too much.
(c) Because he hasn't slept.
(d) Because it's too hot.

7. Wallace believes that commercials have evolved into appealing to a sense of ______.
(a) Beauty.
(b) Intellect.
(c) Individuality.
(d) Community.

8. What article of clothing distinguishes a "Kmart Person"?
(a) Their shoes.
(b) Their jewelry.
(c) Their pants.
(d) Their t-shirts.

9. What ride is Wallace kicked off of?
(a) A broken ride.
(b) The one he vomited on.
(c) A ride meant for small children.
(d) A ride meant for the elderly.

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

11. Wallace believes that Lynch's films are the most successful when what is developed?
(a) Funds.
(b) Characters.
(c) Plot.
(d) Context.

12. Wallace's thesis is that irony and ridicule are simultaneously entertaining and _______.
(a) Confusing.
(b) Intelligent.
(c) Enlightening.
(d) Disparaging.

13. According to Wallace, how did Leyner's image-fiction attempt to solve irony?
(a) It mocked it.
(b) It embraced it.
(c) It ignored it.
(d) It negated it.

14. What charity do Brenda Edgar and Ronald McDonald discuss with the press?
(a) A charity for developing countries.
(b) A charity for abused children.
(c) A charity for homeless families.
(d) A charity run by the church.

15. At the beginning of "E Unibus Pluram," what does Wallace describe fiction writers as enjoying?
(a) Playing sports.
(b) Watching others.
(c) Reading.
(d) Traveling.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Wallace, why does watching television beget more television?

2. By the end of the state fair, what has Wallace realized about the purpose of fairs?

3. Why does Wallace admire Lynch?

4. What does Wallace attribute his tennis success to?

5. Gilder believes technology can be solved with ________.

(see the answer keys)

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