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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 kind of dog does Dwayne have?

2. Where is Kilgore invited to in the letter he receives?

3. What is the plague that infests the planet in the science fiction story Kilgore comes up with?

4. What is Kilgore invited to do at the event in Midland City?

5. Why does Kilgore believe the fan letter was written by a child?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who asks Kilgore to be a keynote speaker and why?

2. Who is Cyprian Ukwende and why is he staying at the Midland City Holiday Inn?

3. What is the irony of Kilgore browsing in the pornography shop in New York?

4. What do the illustrations in Chapter 1 do for the tone of the chapter?

5. What is the plot of the science fiction novel Kilgore comes up with while watching films at the pornography theatre?

6. Why is Harry LeSabre upset by Dwayne's comment about his outfit looking like that of a mortician?

7. What does the message written on the bathroom wall in the pornography theater say and what is Kilgore's response to it?

8. Why is Kilgore reluctant at first to accept the invitation to speak at the arts festival?

9. Why does Kilgore think Americans are greedy?

10. What does the scene between Dwayne and his pet dog, Sparky, infer about Dwayne's character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The two main protagonists of Breakfast of Champions, Kilgore Trout and Dwayne Hoover, have had tumultuous relationships throughout their lives beginning in childhood and moving on into their adulthood. Assess the two characters, based on their relationships with others, and conclude whether they are, in fact, similar to one another or foils.

Essay Topic 2

In the Prologue, The Narrator describes his childhood, including his relationship with Phoebe Hurty whose atypical views largely influenced The Narrator's views. Based on the information The Narrator provides and what the reader learns about Kilgore throughout the novel, is it possible that Kilgore is a self representation of The Narrator? Support your answer with specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

What is the significance of Kilgore's comment at the police station being picked up by a newspaper and, thus, causing widespread panic among New Yorkers? What are the circumstances surrounding Kilgore's being at the police station and what are circumstances following afterward, which Kilgore is never even made aware of? Cite specific examples from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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