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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What happens between Mankiewicz and Thompson in "August?"
(a) Mankiewicz reveals some campaign secrets to Thompson.
(b) Thompson buys the other man a drink.
(c) Thompson is assaulted by the other man.
(d) Thompson crashes his motorcycle into Mankiewicz's car.

2. What two people does Thompson compare to the Yin/Yang?
(a) Kennedy and McCarthy.
(b) Wallace and Muskie.
(c) Nixon and McGovern.
(d) Mankiewicz and Ziegler.

3. What does the author believe occurs within Nixon's organization that helps to account for Nixon's success?
(a) "Monstrous decisions."
(b) "Manipulative, snakey motions."
(c) "Shady moves worthy of the Mafia."
(d) "Nazi-moves."

4. At the writing of this book, what do Americans realize about politics?
(a) Politicians cannot readily pull troops in and out of a country.
(b) They are deceptive.
(c) American votes do force change.
(d) Politicians are not really in charge.

5. What two archetypes does Thompson use to further his comparison of two of the candidates to the Yin/Yang?
(a) The lion and the lamb.
(b) The thief and the murderer.
(c) The brute and the liar.
(d) The prince and the pauper.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Thompson describe the unity sought by the journalists who indulged in some of the more raucous behaviors?

2. How does Thompson describe politicians who decide to become self-aware about the theatricality of their work?

3. What does the author believe Americans want and need?

4. In "August," what does Thompson remember from a previous campaign?

5. In Thompson's own words, what does he initially admit to believing about Mankiewicz?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Thompson's feelings about Nixon's circle of people?

2. Why does the public find Mankowiecz so unsettling?

3. What does Thompson believe about the middle-class?

4. How does Thompson relate the politics of the campaign to the partying of the personnel?

5. How does Eagleton affect McGovern's campaign run?

6. How does Thompson describe the varying roles of and attitudes toward professional speech writers?

7. What does Thompson mean when he says American politics are based on "perception and reality?"

8. Describe Thompson's thoughts on the Yin/Yang in regards to Nixon and McGovern.

9. Why does the book turn into a series of dialogues and monologues after Chapter 11?

10. In "November Concluded," what stories did Thompson tell about one of the female journalists?

(see the answer keys)

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