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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. Where did Mr. Crosby attend college?

2. What does Julian Castle claim to be the only aspect of progress that really excites the people of San Lorenzo?

3. What does John call the tornadoes he can see filling the sky in Chapter 116?

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

5. How many people depart the plane in San Lorenzo, including the narrator, in Chapter 62?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the Papa Monzano's bomb shelter described in Chapter 117?

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

3. How is Franklin Hoenikker described by the narrator?

4. What does the narrator comment regarding old men and wars in the novel?

5. What is ironic about Ambassador Minton's statement regarding the 100 martyrs?

6. What irony can be seen at the memorial celebration on San Lorenzo?

7. How does the author characterize Papa Monzano when he is introduced?

8. How is John's encounter with Mona described in Chapter 91?

9. What considerations does John have regarding Bokononism as he writes his presidential acceptance speech in Chapter 101?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the narrative style of Cat's Cradle. From whose perspective is the narrative related? Why do you think the author chose to relate the narrative in this style? How would the narrative differ if it were related from a different narrative perspective?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the correlations between Ice-nine and weapons of mass destruction in our contemporary world. How would you compare the destructiveness of Ice-nine to the atomic bomb? What statements do you think that Vonnegut is making with Ice-nine regarding atomic warfare?

(see the answer keys)

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