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. How much does Chance know about sex and childbirth?

2. How does Chance feel about EE being in bed next to him once they get home?

3. What gets Chance interested in the book Stiegler speaks of?

4. What invitation does EE extend to Chance the morning after Chance's appearance on "This Evening"?

5. When Chance accepts an invitation to appear on a live TV show, what are his thoughts?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the United Nations gala in Chapter 5, who does Chance seem to impress the most and why?

2. What is the bad joke that Grunmann begins to make when speaking to the President in Chapter 6?

3. What does Chance find so amazing as he awaits his turn to join the TV show?

4. What assumption does the French depute, Gaufridi, make about Chance's future?

5. The President of the United States is getting frustrated with the lack of information on Gardiner in Chapter 6. What sort of information is the President's investigator, Grunmann, able to uncover?

6. What was one of Grunmann's concerns about what Gardiner might be up to? Why is it discounted?

7. At what point in Chapter 5 does EE's character make it clear to the reader that she has a crush on Chance?

8. Why is the President beginning to become suspicious of Chauncy Gardiner in Chapter 5?

9. Mr. Rand tells Chance that he admires his peacefulness. What is it about Chance that makes him appear so at ease?

10. At this point in Chapter 6, the President is frustrated that none of the top government agencies can find information about a wealthy man living in New York City. What are his thoughts before he turns on the TV and falls asleep?

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

EE Rand is a wealthy and beautiful woman with great sophistication and worldliness.

A) What causes her to fall in love with Chauncey Gardiner?

B) Do you believe she will continue to be in love with him if there were a sequel to the book?

C) Are there any ways in which Chauncey is like EE's husband, Benjamin?

Essay Topic 3

The view of existentialism can be construed to be a theme in the book.

A) Explain in your own words what the term existentialism means.

B) Write about its relationship to the story.

C) Give examples as to what parts of the story this comparison exists.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample