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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. Who does Swede assume has already called the police about Merry in Chapter 9?

2. Since what occurrence does the narrator say Dawn hasn't been motivated to do anything in regard to Merry?

3. What did Merry study that is the reverence of life?

4. What does the narrator say Dawn did as a way to distance herself from the stigma of being a beauty queen?

5. What is the name of a Jewish man who praises Swede and pressures him to join a local Jewish organization?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is Swede's time as a marine described in Chapter 5?

3. How does Sheila explain her reason for taking Merry in, to Swede in Chapter 9?

4. What does Swede witness when he walks in on Dawn and Bill in his kitchen during the dinner party?

5. What is the nature of the letter Swede receives from Rita at the beginning of Chapter 5?

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

7. What is the nature of Lou's discussion regarding the downfall of Newark in Chapter 8?

8. What does Merry tell Swede she did while in Miami in Chapter 6?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the irony of the outcome of Swede's life. What can be responsible for the obstacles present in Swede's life to explain for the tragedy surrounding his home life?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the character Lou Levov. What about Lou's upbringing influenced the way he raised his children and pushed his ideals on their lives?

Essay Topic 3

The story of Swede offers a unique and heartbreaking look into the life of an apparent American hero.

Part 1) What impact might Swede's upbringing and success as an athlete have on the way his life played out?

Part 2) What impact did Dawn's vanity and infidelity have on Swede's plight?

Part 3) What is telling of Swede based on his wanting to have a tribute to his father written by the narrator?

(see the answer keys)

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