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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 did Swede knock Bill down in high school?

2. What did Lou often blame for Merry's bad behavior in addition to her mother?

3. What did Dr. Salzman counsel the Levovs about?

4. What is the family's name that first hid Merry after the bombing?

5. How is Bill described when he talks with Swede's wife just after having sex with her?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Marcia remark about regarding social conditions in Chapter 8?

2. How is Swede's conversation with Bill, Jessie, and Lou described in Chapter 9?

3. What is the nature of Swede's phone call with Rita at the beginning of Chapter 9?

4. What does Swede realize regarding Merry's mental health in Chapter 5?

5. How does Merry live as a Jain?

6. How are Merry's values as a Jain described in the book?

7. How are Lou's feelings towards the Nixon administration described in the book?

8. What does Lou say he is ashamed of Jerry for in Chapter 7?

9. How does Dawn describe her home with Swede to her architect?

10. How is Swede's mother affected by Merry's disappearance in Chapter 7?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the portrayal of the structure of society in the book. What might the author be saying about social stereotypes based on his portrayal of Swede and his friends?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book, the author imparts some popular and groundbreaking events that occurred throughout 1960s culture.

Part 1) What role did groups like the Weathermen play in the book?

Part 2) What portrayal of the Vietnam War was the author able to put forward to give a true sense of the country's feelings about the war?

Part 3) What purpose did the author have for including so many references to 1960s culture in regard to setting a tone?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the portrayal of the Jewish neighborhood in the book. What importance did this culture have in Nathan and Swede's upbringing and future?

(see the answer keys)

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