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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Inez, what is the major casualty of public life?
(a) Privacy.
(b) Integrity.
(c) Emotion.
(d) Memory.

2. According to Didion, with what do most island families surround themselves?
(a) Deception.
(b) Tropical plants.
(c) Servants.
(d) Mementos.

3. In what area's development does Dick Ziegler first make his money?
(a) Vietnam.
(b) Hawaii.
(c) Australia.
(d) Hong Kong.

4. In the famous footage of Inez dancing, which famous New York building is she atop?
(a) The Met.
(b) The Dakota.
(c) The St. Regis.
(d) The San Remo.

5. What do both aerialists and writers know not to do?
(a) Move too fast.
(b) Overextend themselves.
(c) Work without a net.
(d) Look down.

Short Answer Questions

1. What action does the narrator recall Inez Victor busying herself with on their 1975 meeting in Kuala Lumpur?

2. On what aspect of news stories regarding southeast Asian turmoil does Didion generally focus?

3. What does Lovett say is the only way Harry and his associates believe something is true?

4. Which member of his own family does Paul Christian eventually kill?

5. What is the name of the girl who is seriously injured in a car accident with Adlai?

Short Essay Questions

1. What seems ridiculous to Billy Dillon about his conversation with Dick Ziegler?

2. What information about Paul Christian's crime does Didion reveal in Chapter 3?

3. How are Jack Lovett and Inez Victor reunited in Chapter 11?

4. What is Janet Ziegler's condition in Chapter 10?

5. What rule of nonfiction does Didion demonstrate in this chapter, and how does she do so?

6. Why does Inez listen to the radio all night at end of the chapter?

7. What does Didion think when Inez finally invited her to Kuala Lumpur?

8. How does Didion characterize Jack Lovett's life?

9. How is Wendell Omura connected to Dick Ziegler?

10. How does Jessie return to the United States?

(see the answer keys)

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