View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the essay "The Trouble with Prince Charming," what did the characters in the Fifty Shades of Grey series need to sign prior to starting a relationship?

2. According to the essay "How We All Lose," what does every writer have?

3. In the essay "Some Jokes Are Funnier Than Others," who stands up in defense of women who have been raped?

4. What is the name of the Garret Keizer book that Gay references in "A Tale of Three Coming Out Stories"?

5. In her essay "Some Jokes Are Funnier Than Others," what does Gay say that humor about sexual violence suggests?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the essay "How We All Love," how does Gay describe Junot Diaz's writing style?

2. In the essay "The Illusion of Safety," what is the purpose of listing all the detailed visceral reactions at the beginning?

3. In the essay "Peculiar Benefits," what does Gay say is most important to do when it comes to privilege?

4. At the end of the essay "Dear Young Ladies Who Love Chris Brown," what does Gay say to the ladies?

5. In the essay "The Spectacle of Broken Men," why does Gay say society lets athletes get away with criminal behavior?

6. In the essay "What We Hunger For," why does Gay admire the Hunger Games character Katniss?

7. In the essay "I One Was Miss America," what is Gay's reaction after reading the sequel to the Sweet Valley High books?

8. What is subtly suggested as the reason Gay gains so much weight in the essay "Reaching for Catharsis"?

9. In "To Scratch, Claw, or Grope Clumsily or Frantically," how does Gay beat her nemesis the first time?

10. In "To Scratch, Claw, or Grope Clumsily or Frantically," how does Gay respond when she hears all the rules to the game?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining the author's narrative tone toward the cult of beauty and thinness, citing textual examples from her essay "Reaching for Catharsis." How does she feel about the unrealistic standards of beauty and body placed on women by society?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining the significance of the title of the book. How does the title support Gay's theme of feminism and overall narrative tone?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay explaining how the author uses the characters Ana and Christian (from the Fifty Shades of Grey series) to illustrate her argument that fairy tales often require self sacrifice on the part of the female. Include a clear thesis statement and ample textual evidence to support your claim.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 848 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample