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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. When does the narrator write he had to sweat out a fever in Mexico after the earthquake in Chapter 5?

2. What did the narrator's mother write to tell him in Chapter 11?

3. Where is the narrator hoping to hitchhike in Chapter 10?

4. How much money does the narrator say he'll give Cody for rent in Chapter 17?

5. Who arrives after the gang at the cabin in Chapter 18?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the description of the boarding house where his friends live in Chapter 12?

2. How does the protagonist view the cliffs and his surroundings in Chapter 4?

3. Describe the character of Arthur Ma.

4. In what ways does the narrator reflect upon the history of Big Sur in Chapter 7?

5. What exposition does the narrator relay of Cody's imprisonment in Chapter 13?

6. What does Jack tell himself and thus do in the beginning of Chapter 3? What does the driver tell him?

7. What is Jack's initial interaction with the animals around the cabin like in Chapter 18?

8. What do the descriptions in Chapter 3 relate about the protagonist?

9. What does Jack describe as his feelings for the cabin in Chapter 6? To whom does he speak to of his feelings?

10. What spurs Jack to believe he is not wanted at the cabin in Chapter 9?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the character of Billie Dabney. How is her relationship to the narrator illustrated? How do her actions contribute to the actions of the protagonist?

Essay Topic 2

Define the term "Roman a clef." Is this a style, genre, or form? Why is it used? How does it apply to Big Sur?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the character of Jack Duluoz in Big Sur. What are his principle characteristics? What are his objectives and obstacles in the plot?

(see the answer keys)

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