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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 choir performs Vonnegut's requiem?

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

3. Why does Vonnegut like to write pieces for Architectural Digest?

4. In what year does the author's father die?

5. What does the author use as a recurrent symbol of U.S. political stupidities?

Short Essay Questions

1. A master's degree in anthropology has taught Vonnegut the "villains" are culture, society and history, not drugs. What proof does Vonnegut give of this belief?

2. Name one similarity and one difference between Jane and Vonnegut.

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

4. What is Vonnegut's opinion of the traditional requiem mass?

5. Compare and contrast the character Billy Pilgrim to the character's model, Joe Crone.

6. What does Vonnegut say when his book is burned?

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

8. Of what significant Indianapolis building is Father the founder? Why is he bitter over the additions made on this building?

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

10. How has Hemingway grown dated?

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 First Amendment allows Americans the freedom of speech and the press.

Part 1) Although Vonnegut supports this, why does this freedom upset him? Give examples from the text.

Part 2) What part of the First Amendment does the NRA use to support its cause? Do you agree with the way the NRA interprets this freedom?

Part 3) Write a letter to the NRA expressing your opinion about its interpretation of the First Amendment.

(see the answer keys)

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