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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. What excuse does Julia give to break up with Paul?

2. How does the man from the airplane turn Paul off?

3. Where does Paul live immediately after college?

4. How does Paul reach the Provence?

5. What New Year's resolution does Paul make while in Puerto Rico?

Short Essay Questions

1. Compare and contrast Greg to the way Paul was when he was in high school.

2. On what note does Paul's first year at Canton end? How is it another example of the patterns in his life?

3. How does Paul manage his friendship with César? How far does it go?

4. During Paul's phase of trying to go straight, what patterns and themes are seen in the people Paul gets involved with?

5. Compare and contrast Paul's life and role between Sutton Hill and Canton Academy. Which seems more fitting for Paul? In what way?

6. What is Cantwell's theory on why Paul seeks approval? How does Paul feel about it?

7. Paul has a dream that his penis unscrews likes a light bulb and he is unable to get it back on. How does this sum up Paul's life at the time?

8. Paul has several ideas concerning love. According to Paul, love allows a person to do what? What is needed from a person the deeper love gets?

9. What moment does Paul finally get that is comparable to the Andover jocks that tease Mr. Nindle? How does Paul react to it?

10. What is it that Paul likes so much about his travels in Europe? How does his time there allow him to be freer than he has ever been?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Paul is able to maintain relationships, he stays even when he is aware they are not healthy for him. Why does he remain in the relationship? What stops him from ending them even though he is aware of the consequences? Consider at least two relationships and explain how they finally end.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Paul's experience in Europe as he explores outside of the United States for the first time. What adventures does he partake in? What lessons does he learn in life? What memories is Paul able to bring back home?

Essay Topic 3

Write about the different ways Paul and other gays in the book cope with their sexual preference. Do more hide it or are there more gay men who feel comfortable showing their real selves? Does it matter where the person is raised? Does it matter what age? Consider Raf, Lonnie, Alex, Paul, Doug, etc.

(see the answer keys)

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