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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. Why does Wallace feel the theme of consumption is appropriate for this state fair?

2. Why does Lynch urinate on trees in the middle of Los Angeles while filming "Lost Highway"?

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

4. What charity do Brenda Edgar and Ronald McDonald discuss with the press?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does sexual harassment make a clear distinction between Eastern and Midwestern women for Wallace?

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

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

5. According to Wallace, what does television reference?

6. Why was Wallace assigned to the Illinois State Fair article for Harper's?

7. Does Wallace see the events at the Desert Competition as being safe? Why or why not?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wallace is very critical of pop-culture and its prevalence in American art. He fears that it may be all that we've become. Discuss the arguments presented by Wallace and the sources he cites. What is the objective of this discussion? Where does Wallace leave the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Wallace addresses his own childhood through his experiences, at times offering the reader a glimpse of his experience through his childhood perspective. Wallace also describes his experiences with children through his journeys. Discuss the way that Wallace's inner-child and experiences with children offer a new side of arguments and experiences for the reader.

Essay Topic 3

In several essays, Wallace discusses his experience in tennis and his fondness for the sport. He often likens it to other activities and concepts, making it appear that it is an integral part of him although he doesn't play anymore. Discuss what tennis represents to Wallace and how it thematically aids the collection of essays. What is it to represent?

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