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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Wallace consider his style of playing tennis as "boring"?
(a) Because he lightly hits it.
(b) Because he shows no emotion.
(c) Because he hits the ball in the center every time.
(d) Because he doesn't make any noise.

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

3. Why does Wallace see the baton twirling competition as dangerous?
(a) Because the batons are on fire.
(b) Because they twirl very fast.
(c) Because they twirl blindfolded.
(d) Because they throw the batons into the crowd.

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

5. Why is Wallace able to get into the desert competition at the state fair?
(a) He bribes someone.
(b) There is no ID check.
(c) They think he's from a different magazine.
(d) They need more participants.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Gilder believes technology can be solved with ________.

3. As a child, what did Wallace believe the purpose of carnivals was?

4. Wallace claims that television teaches viewers that _______ is the most important quality in a person.

5. According to Wallace, how do commercials respond to the pressure for people to stop watching so much television?

Short Essay Questions

1. To Wallace, is he still a Midwesterner? Why or why not?

2. As a child, what did Wallace believe the purpose of carnivals was?

3. Why does Wallace believe cloggers have more fun than people at a rock concert?

4. According to Wallace, do writers enjoy watching television? Do writers enjoy being watched? Why do writers watch television?

5. What caused Lynch's downfall in the movie industry?

6. How does Wallace feel about the setting for "Lost Highway"? Why does he feel this way?

7. As an adult, what does Wallace see as the purpose of carnivals?

8. According to Wallace, was Image-Fiction successful? Why or why not?

9. How does Wallace suggest a writer rebel against the "new ironic orthodoxy"?

10. What connection does Wallace see between tennis, geography, and the wind?

(see the answer keys)

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