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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Wallace's explanation for why Midwesterners are alienated?

2. After seeing the distressed pigs at the livestock barns, why does Wallace feel hypocritical?

3. Where was Wallace sent on an assignment for Harper's Magazine?

4. Why is Wallace able to get into the desert competition at the state fair?

5. What does Wallace attribute his tennis success to?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. According to Wallace, what tendencies does television appeal to? Who is television's target?

3. After listening to Governor Jim Edgar's speech, how does Wallace feel about Illinois? Why?

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

5. What is the idea of Image-Fiction? Why does it exist?

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

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

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

9. According to Wallace, why does television seem real?

10. According to Wallace, are commercials self-aware? What is the effect of this on the viewer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Through the collection "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again," Wallace's style is thoroughly explored. Discuss Wallace's style and its reflection through this collection. Who is Wallace as a writer?

Essay Topic 2

In the essay "David Lynch Keeps His Head," Wallace discusses his views on Lynch's career and artistic vision. Discuss how using David Lynch Wallace responds to his earlier, broader commentary on American media.

Essay Topic 3

Wallace's essays often present an argument. Discuss how Wallace contradicts the arguments, his method of citations and antithesis and the effect this has on the final product.

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