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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. What news does Augusten get during a conference at the end of Chapter 10?

2. In Chapter 9, Hayden tells Augusten that Foster is becoming a what?

3. What magazine does Greer read as she and Augusten sit by the pool in Chapter 10?

4. How much is Augusten charged for room incidentals in Chapter 10?

5. When Augusten visits Pighead at the end of Chapter 11, which of his relatives is there?

Short Essay Questions

1. By Chapter 12, how has Augusten and Pighead's relationship changed?

2. Why is dinner with the Nazi in Chapter 10 nearly unbearable for Augusten?

3. Why does Augusten almost relapse at the end of Chapter 9?

4. What bad news does Augusten get at the end of Chapter 10?

5. What does Augusten realize about Foster in Chapter 7?

6. Describe the night that Augusten relapses.

7. What miscommunication happens with the minibar in Chapter 10?

8. What surprise does Pighead have for Augusten in Chapter 14?

9. What is Augusten's attitude toward his mother?

10. Describe Augusten and Pighead's interaction at the beginning of Chapter 7.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Augusten's past haunts him as he struggles with sobriety. While Burroughs never tries to assign definitive blame for his alcohol issues, but he makes clear that a past full of abuse and neglect must have some effect. Write an essay about three people from his past. What memories of this person haunt Augusten? What present neuroses could they explain?

Part 1) His father

Part 2) Neil Bookman

Part 3) His mother

Essay Topic 2

Augusten Burroughs' perception of self changes several times over the course of his memoir Dry. This is a reflection of the major life changes he goes through. Write an essay about the three changes in self-perception Augusten has over the course of the novel:

Part 1) How does Augusten see himself in the days leading up to his intervention? Discuss why he believes he is fooling people about the extent of his drinking. How does he slowly come to terms with the fact that he is not a charming lush? What does he realize about his habits?

Part 2) What changes in Augusten's life make sobriety one of several concerns in his life rather than the central concern? Discuss the events that make him suddenly not care if he remains sober and healthy? How does he change his habits as a result of this?

Part 3) What change occurs in Augusten's self-regard that suddenly makes him want to become sober again? How is self-preservation play a major role in this shift? What is Augusten's sense of self at the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

One of the counselors at Proud Institute warns Augusten that his life will have to reshape around him. She compares him to a puzzle piece that must have matching pieces to connect with. Write an essay about three components of Augusten's life and whether they reshape to match him:

Part 1) What kind of relationship do Jim and Augusten have before he attends Proud Institute? Discuss Jim's reaction to Augusten's news that he is going to rehab. What is their one interaction after Augusten is sober like? Does Jim reshape for a sober Augusten?

Part 2) What is Greer's attitude toward Augusten at the beginning of Dry, and how does it change after he returns from rehab? Describe the awkward interaction that marks their first meeting. How does Greer proceed to reshape her life for him?

Part 3) How is Augusten's relationship with Pighead different from his other relationships after rehab? To what extent does Augusten reshape himself to complement Pighead? Does this turn out to be destructive, productive, or ambiguous?

(see the answer keys)

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