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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. With whom does Frank Hoenikker describe having an affair as a teenager in Chapter 89?

2. What does Frank say in the end of Chapter 108?

3. What was the name of the midget dancer that Newt Hoenikker wed?

4. What Bokononist word means "lies"?

5. What is the name of the U.S. Ambassador that attends John's swearing in ceremony?

Short Essay Questions

1. What symbolism can be seen in the story of the shipwreck on San Lorenzo that is related by Philip Castle?

2. How is Franklin Hoenikker described by the narrator?

3. What is satirical about the "writer's strike" that Philip Castle proposes in Chapter 103?

4. How is the theme of inequality of wealth demonstrated in Chapter 62?

5. How does the narrator describe the morality surrounding the Hoenikker children taking the Ice-nine in Chapter 113?

6. How is Newt's painting described in Chapter 74? What does it signify?

7. How does Mrs. Crosby feel about her circumstances after the destruction of Ice-nine?

8. Why was Bokononism initially banned? What impact did the ban have on Bokonon?

9. What irony and satire can be seen in the "calypsos" of The Books of Bokonon?

10. What is the impending celebration for in San Lorenzo when the narrator arrives?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of John as the protagonist of Cat's Cradle. What attributes does John exhibit that make him a protagonist? Who or what is the antagonist of the narrative? What heroic attributes and tragic flaws are represented by John?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze the character of Newt Hoenikker in the novel. What information does Newt relate to John via letters? How does John perceive Newt when they finally meet? What are Newt's relationships like with his siblings?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the genre of satire as it applies to Cat's Cradle. What aspects of the novel are satirical? What aspects of culture, society, etc. are satirized by Vonnegut? What do you think Vonnegut's overall statement is regarding humankind?

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