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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. In the Midwest, how are people supposed to respond to a tornado during a tennis match?

2. Wallace believes that commercials have evolved into appealing to a sense of ______.

3. Hix comments that he feels the post-structuralists' argument makes the concept of an author _______.

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

5. Wallace learns that people enter the Junior Livestock Competition for ______.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the students argue with their professor's position that works should make no reference to a specific time period?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Why does Wallace feel the Desert Competition is appropriate for Illinois?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In several essays, Wallace discusses his idols in art and sports. Discuss what Wallace is conveying about himself through his discussion of those he looks up to.

Essay Topic 3

In the essay "Getting Away From pretty Much Being Away From It All," Wallace is on assignment in his home state of Illinois. Through his exploration of the State Fair, Wallace's Eastern and Midwestern identities are brought into question and clashes between the two arise. Discuss what Wallace finds about himself and the regions as being a once native, now outsider.

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