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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. To whom does David attribute Nic's love for film directors such as Godard, Bergman, and Kurosawa?

2. The therapist recommends that Nic stay with Vicki during which part(s) of each year?

3. David relates that Charles died on the eve of what day?

4. When Nic works as a barista, he gives the nickname of "Why bothers" (95) to people who order what drink?

5. Nic and a friend make prank phone calls they have learned how to make by watching what television show?

Short Essay Questions

1. What major revelation does David make to the reader upon describing his son's admission of crystal meth use?

2. What is the symbolism of the word everything?

3. How is the theme of family bonds depicted within the scene of Daisy's birth?

4. What reason does Sheff provide for his decision to forego foreshadowing within the memoir?

5. How is the theme of duality demonstrated in David's discussion of Nic's behavior with his younger siblings?

6. For what purpose does David Sheff use an allusion to the film Welcome to the Dollhouse at the opening of Chapter 6?

7. How do the themes of secrecy and deception emerge within the memoir's introduction?

8. What advice do many "drug counselors tell parents" of David's "generation" (52) with respect to drug use and honesty?

9. What pattern does David note in Nic's literary tastes in high school?

10. Describe the setting depicted in the introduction.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Sheff's message regarding the difference between loving behavior, and enabling or co-dependent behavior, and how does he get this message across to the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the author's use of Aristotle's appeals within David Sheff's memoir Beautiful Boy. How does the author use each of the three appeals to persuade the reader of argumentative points central to the tenets of the work?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's treatment of truth, lies, and hypocrisy within David Sheff's memoir Beautiful Boy.

(see the answer keys)

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