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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 was not a name of one of Gary's former housemates?

2. What does Jules find in the second house on his and Tom's excursion?

3. Where does Jules find the second dog on his and Tom's excursion?

4. How does Gary say that his former housemate described the problem?

5. What breed of dog does Jules find while on his and Tom's excursion?

Short Essay Questions

1. What advice did Don give Malorie concerning her babies?

2. What is written on the sign on the bodies of the parents that Tom and Jules find?

3. What do the housemates decide to do with Gary?

4. How does Malorie consider blinding her children?

5. What does Tom bring home in a box?

6. What are some of the items printed on the receipt found by Tom in a vacant house?

7. How do Tom and Jules propose to walk during their next trip outside of the house?

8. Why does Malorie leave the house to go to the bar?

9. How do the housemates determine whether to let the new entrant inside the house in Chapter 27?

10. What body part does Tom believe he has found in a bowl on the table of a vacant house.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you discuss the significance of vision in the novel. How do the characters perceive vision? How is the concept of vision discussed in the narrative, and how do events involving vision affect the plot? Why does the author choose to depict vision in this way?

Essay Topic 2

Malerman writes in Gary's notebook that "Man is the creature he fears." Write an essay in which you respond to this notion, taking as evidence the behavior of the novel's characters. Cite passages to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Malerman uses vivid descriptions of physical injury and violence in many different contexts, with many different victims. Choose two depictions of physical injury or violence from different portions of the book. Explain each scene with respect to who finds the victim, how the injury is described, and the the effect on the character who finds the victim.

(see the answer keys)

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