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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. At Wallace's games, how do people respond to a tornado warning?

2. According to Wallace, what elements do Lynch's films draw out?

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

4. Why do the students disagree with their professor in "E Unibus Pluram"?

5. Post-structuralists believe that although the historical context can aid a text, much of it really depends on what?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Does Wallace's visit to the stockyard barns affect Wallace at all? Why or why not?

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

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 is a "Lynchian" film?

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

8. Does the plot of "Lost Highway" make sense? Is it supposed to make sense?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout his essays, Wallace often cites outside sources to either enforce his opinion or provide a contradiction for him to react to. Discuss Wallace's use of outside sources. How does Wallace analyzing others paint a clearer picture of Wallace himself?

Essay Topic 2

Wallace discusses the use of irony mainly when discussing television and entertainment and criticizes it as being detrimental. Discuss Wallace's definition of irony and the detriments and benefits it has for art. What is Wallace's definition and objective with his argument? How does Wallace see irony differently?

Essay Topic 3

Wallace at times is in awe of the nature of the world. At the State Fair, he admires the strong sense of community; in discussing Lynch, he praises his artistic vision; on the cruise, he admires the efficiency and luxury. However, he often begins to criticize the weakness of these things. Discuss how Wallace's shifts his opinion, what inspires this, and the experience for the reader.

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