View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. After Gordon dies and looks at his body, what upsets him?

2. Why does Dirk offer Richard his services as a detective?

3. When Richard sees what appears to be someone lugging a body into a field, he dismisses this as merely what?

4. Thinking about the figure in his trunk, a ghostly Gordon wonders if it really was wearing what?

5. What command does the college porter give to a "strange priest" who turns out to be the Electric Monk?

Short Essay Questions

1. What belief system does the Electric Monk subscribe to after he starts doubting that the valley before him is pink?

2. Explain how Dirk toys with Richard after spotting him breaking into an apartment.

3. Why does the little girl, Sarah, pass around a pot at the Coleridge dinner?

4. Describe the mysterious tower the author writes about as the book opens.

5. How does the author utilize foreshadowing with the character Gordon Way?

6. When Richard leaves Reg's place after seeing a horse in the bathroom, what surprises him about the front door landing?

7. Explain why fellow students liked to wine and dine Dirk Gently.

8. Explain what happens after Gordon's ghost arrives at his cottage.

9. What is an Electric Monk?

10. How does Richard discover that his boss, Gordon, has been murdered?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Dirk Gently's interactions and conversations with his clients. Why are they angry with him? How does he justify his charges? Is he a good detective, or is he taking advantage of people? Support your answers with passages from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the reasons that Reg chooses to time travel with his time machine. How does Dirk feel about the professor's reasons? How does the professor contradict himself when he says that he doesn't affect the past? At what point does the professor realize that he's been time traveling irresponsibly?

Essay Topic 3

The ancient alien ghost unsuccessfully tries to gain control over the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Richard, and Reg. The ghost does succeed in fully possessing Michael. What enables the ghost to possess him completely? What similarities do Michael and the ghost share?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 928 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample