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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) Reading.
(b) Watching television.
(c) Being watched.
(d) Talking to people.

2. Where was Wallace sent on an assignment for Harper's Magazine?
(a) Illinois.
(b) Kansas.
(c) Connecticut.
(d) Missouri.

3. According to Wallace, why does television seem real?
(a) The stories reflect real life.
(b) The actors are skilled at ignoring the camera.
(c) People are stupid enough to believe it.
(d) The definition is very clear.

4. Wallace explains that Harper's Magazine has a primarily _________ audience.
(a) Young.
(b) Midwestern.
(c) Female.
(d) East Coast.

5. What is the key difference between Wallace and Antitoi?
(a) Anitioi is stronger.
(b) Antitoi cares about tennis.
(c) Wallace hits the ball as hard as possible.
(d) Wallace is more talented.

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

7. 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.

8. What does Wallace most like about the Expo Building at the state fair?
(a) It's air conditioned.
(b) It's quiet.
(c) There's lots of shopping.
(d) It's big.

9. According to Wallace, why does watching television beget more television?
(a) People feel persecuted for watching it, so they watch more.
(b) People become addicted.
(c) The world can't live up to the standards of television.
(d) They want to see more of the world.

10. What natural disaster does Jim Edgar discuss with the press?
(a) The hurricane.
(b) The flood.
(c) The tornado.
(d) The earthquake.

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

12. After discussing sexual harassment with Native Companion, what does Wallace realize about East Coast women?
(a) They are afraid of men.
(b) They never get harassed.
(c) They don't enjoy anything.
(d) They enjoy complaining.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Two women who mistake Wallace for working for Harper's Bazaar compliment him on his magazine's _________.

2. In Hix's argument, "Morte d'Author," European post-structuralists argue what about authors?

3. What does Wallace speculate Lynch doesn't intend for "Lost Highway"?

4. Why does Wallace consider his style of playing tennis as "boring"?

5. Who does Wallace believe is the ultimate outsider?

(see the answer keys)

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