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. Dirk figures out that the alien ghost wants to wipe out humanity and:

2. According to the alien ghost's explanation, what has been orbiting Earth undetected since the explosion that killed him and his friends?

3. When Michael Wenton-Weakes digs into his wastebasket, he pulls out a copy of the magazine Fathom and finds what?

4. The ancient alien ghost explains that he and his party landed on Earth for what?

5. What is Reg's main reason for traveling through time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why Dirk hypnotizes Richard.

2. Explain how the book's opening scene is repeated near the end of the book, but with a twist.

3. Why do Dirk and Reg seem so familiar with each other?

4. How do Chapters 18 - 20 hint at characters being possessed by ghosts?

5. Why has Michael brought scuba gear with him to Reg's time machine?

6. Why does Richard jump into a canal?

7. How does Reg behave when he takes Dirk and Richard with him back in time to a rain forest?

8. Why does Dirk purchase an easy to use phone with large red push-buttons for his detective agency?

9. When Richard and his friends board the alien's mothership that has been orbiting Earth undetected for billions of years, what fills him with awe?

10. How does Reg get the salt shaker into young Sarah's old Greek pot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Cite three examples from the book where the author uses foreshadowing to alert the reader of events to come. Why is foreshadowing such an important storytelling tool for Douglas Adams? How does it enhance his writing style?

Essay Topic 2

Susan Way, Gordon Way, and Richard MacDuff are intricately connected through their various roles. Explain the interconnections between these three characters. Why does Gordon try to use Susan to put pressure on Richard? How does Susan feel about Gordon pressuring her? What are Susan's expectations of Richard? What are Gordon's expectations of Richard? At times, how does Richard find himself caught in the middle between Gordon's and Susan's demands? How do Susan and Richard resolve their issues by the end of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the book, questions remain as to whether or not Dirk Gently truly has psychic powers. In your opinion, does he or does he not have special psychic abilities? What other abilities does he possess (such as keen powers of observation) that might make him seem psychic to a casual observer?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,002 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample