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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. Unlike many short-lived 20th-century art movements, what movement has more enthusiasts than ever?

2. What does Pollock use to control his hands when he paints?

3. How does Vonnegut believe a writer's opinion about vocal third parties differs from that of a visual artist?

4. Why does Vonnegut feel lucky to have been born in Indianapolis?

5. The Vonnegut family expects its family members to go out east to college. Where does the author's dad, Kurt Vonnegut Sr., go to college?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does FATES WORSE THAN DEATH by humorist Kurt Vonnegut contain?

2. Why does Vonnegut greatly admire anything Anonymous, for example, Alcoholics Anonymous?

3. What are four things Vonnegut and O'Hare have in common?

4. Why do the Vonneguts give themselves a Native American tribal name?

5. How does Vonnegut's requiem mass differ from Andrew Lloyd Webber's?

6. Describe Vonnegut's experiences at Lake Maxincuckee.

7. How does Jill embody the Women's Liberation Movement? How does this attitude toward life make her a better person?

8. What is Vonnegut's opinion of the First Amendment?

9. Why does Father not enjoy working as an architect?

10. Describe the city of Dresden.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Writing books is like any other job, according to Vonnegut.

Part 1) Why does Vonnegut think writing is no more special than any other job?

Part 2) Would you be okay with doing a job that was not important or special to you? Why or why not?

Part 3) Do you find any jobs to be more important or more satisfying than others? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Vonnegut believes all writers grow dated.

Part 1) Give a detailed example of proof that this belief could be true.

Part 2) Explain a similarity between Father's architecture career with this belief.

Part 3) How has this belief affected Vonnegut's own writing?

Essay Topic 3

The Women's Liberation Movement coincides with Jill Krementz's blossoming into womanhood.

Part 1) How does Jill act like a woman involved in this movement?

Part 2) What would you ignore or go without to have more freedoms?

Part 3) Do you believe Jill is brave for the way she lives her life? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample