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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. Which author does the narrator say wrote the inanities of the sea because he wasn't going to do it when he's dead?

2. On which side is the bluff to Jack as he travels the road at night in Chapter 3?

3. What is one of the faults the narrator notes about the cabin in Chapter 6?

4. With whom did the producers of the television show send Jack out after his performance?

5. In Chapter 20, Arthur Ma asks why did who keep a notebook?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Jack's reaction to Cody's disappointment to see him drinking in Chapter 13?

3. What leads to the group going to the cabin in Chapter 17? Who goes?

4. What does Jack recall of George Baso in Chapter 15?

5. What does Jack describe as he leaves for Big Sur in Chapter 2?

6. After leaving Cody's house, where does the group decide to go and who do they meet up with?

7. What in Chapter 3 is an example of foreshadowing?

8. Where is Jack in the beginning of the novel? What were his initial plans and why did they change?

9. What "sign" does Jack speak of in Chapter 10 and why?

10. How do Buddhist fundamentals relate to Jack's relationship with nature in Chapter 8? How do these change later in the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the value of things in Jack's mind. How did the Beatnik ideals differ from those in mainstream society during this era? What is more important: a sink scourer or a nice suit?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the defining elements of Kerouac's style. How does he approach grammatical rules? In what time frame did he complete his works?

(see the answer keys)

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