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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. In Chapter 5, what news impelled the the woman speaking at AA to seek help with her alcoholism?

2. At the karaoke bar in Chapter 1, what television show's theme does Augusten sing?

3. What is Brian's profession?

4. How does Jim describe Augusten's work in Chapter 1?

5. In Chapter 6, what caveat does Augusten's therapy group make regarding its approval of Hayden staying with Augusten?

Short Essay Questions

1. What temptation does Augusten overcome in Chapter 6, and how?

2. What is Augusten's immediate reaction to rehab in Chapter 3?

3. How does Augusten meet Foster in Chapter 5?

4. Who is Jim and how does he know Augusten?

5. What terrible details of his profession does Jim tell Augusten in Chapter 1?

6. In Chapter 5, what has changed in Augusten's office since he left for rehab?

7. Why does Augusten insist he cannot stay out late in Chapter 1, and how late does he stay out?

8. Describe Augusten's first interaction with Pighead.

9. How does Augusten begin to realize that he drinks more than other people in Chapter 3?

10. How is Greer changing for Augusten in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The first part of Dry is largely dedicated to Augusten's developing understanding of what sobriety really entails. Write an essay about Augusten's expectations of sobriety and the reality that eventually dawns on him. What initial notions does he have of what rehab will be? Does he expect never to drink again? Discuss the point at which Augusten begins to realize that he cannot control his alcohol consumption. How does his idea of sobriety change?

Essay Topic 2

Augusten struggle with alcoholism is also a window into the advertising world. The scenes that take place in his place of business illustrate the challenges anyone faces in the industry. Write a three-part essay about advertising in Dry:

Part 1) How does Augusten's drinking prove a problem in his and Greer's attempt to woo the Faberge clients? What duties does he shirk because of his constant intoxication? What eventually happens with the potential Faberge account?

Part 2) Discuss the Wirksam Beer account. What do the clients want from Greer and Augusten, and how does this request prove particularly difficult to complete? Describe the eventual ad campaign. How does Burroughs characterize the quality of this concept and execution?

Part 3) When Augusten returns to his advertising firm, he discovers someone is leaving threatening and incriminating items in his office. Discuss the nature of this harassment and Augusten's theories regarding it. What does this do to Augusten's sense of control and safety? What does it reveal about the industry in which he works?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay charting the progression of Augusten's relapse in Dry. What components of his life after Proud Institute make the possibility of relapse more likely? How does Augusten toy with the idea of taking a drink several times before actually doing it? What is the final straw? Discuss how Augusten's eventual relapse creates a far more volatile habit of consumption and accelerates his journey to bottom.

(see the answer keys)

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