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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 absent person does Augusten say hello to at the very end of the novel?

2. What is suspicious about Rick's comment about a campaign idea in Chapter 8?

3. Who does Augusten tell at the beginning of Chapter 8 that he has almost slept with Foster?

4. What news does Foster tell Augusten while having dinner at his house?

5. What bad news does Hayden Call with in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What positive events happen to Augusten in Chapter 9?

4. How does Augusten's story end?

5. How does Pighead look when Augusten sees him in Chapter 11?

6. What sort of harassment is Augusten facing at work?

7. What kind of peace do Pighead and Augusten reach in Chapter 8?

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

9. In what state is Augusten on the day of Pighead's wake in Chapter 13?

10. What do Wendy and Augusten discuss in Chapter 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the beginning of the novel, Augusten Burroughs is clearly an advertising prodigy. Write an essay in which you discuss how Augusten made his way in New York's advertising world. How old was he when he was hired, and what kind of early success did he have? Discuss how this image of a young prodigy was instrumental in his developing an unchecked addiction? How was someone like Greer an enabler in this respect?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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