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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 is the name of the woman from the car?

2. What does Chance discover has happened to Louise?

3. What does Chance realize he cannot reveal while looking over the paper?

4. How does Chance explain his reason for not signing the paper?

5. What clothes did Chance change into when he learned he had a visitor?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 1, in what way does Chance feel safe and secure in the garden?

2. When Chance periodically takes time in the garden to sit on the grass and think in Chapter 1, what goes through his mind?

3. When Chance is hit by the limousine and Mrs. Rand steps out, what is familiar about her to Chance?

4. What do readers learn in Chapter 1 about Chance's father?

5. Chance notices the TV in the rear of the car and asks if it works. Why does EE assume that he wants to watch TV at a time like this?

6. Why does EE decide to invite Chance to stay at her home?

7. Why does EE change Chance's name when he introduces himself?

8. Why does Chance wear sunglasses to meet with the lawyer and his assistant?

9. Why is Mr. Rand so impressed at dinner with Chance's description of having a suitable garden?

10. Why does Chance pretend to be able to read the paper that the lawyer gives him to sign?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though religion is never mentioned in the story, there is a spiritual element to the book. Compare and contrast "Being There" to a religious parable.

Essay Topic 2

One theme of the book may ask the question "what is the point of life?".

A) Has this question been answered for you? Why or why not? How could it have been done better?

B) What is your answer to the point of living? Or is there one?

C) What idea was Kosinski trying to get across? Did he accomplish his goal?

Essay Topic 3

If a person such as Chauncey Gardiner were to exist today, how would he be received by the public and the media? Would people today be just as taken with him as they are in the book? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 805 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample