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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 plane does Thompson decide better fits his personality in "November Continued?"

2. Who does Thompson discuss as the reason for his own disillusionment in "November Continued"?

3. Despite medical issues, what is Thompson's main concern during November?

4. Fill in the blanks: According to Thompson, American politics have changed from being based on "charisma" to "_______ and ________."

5. After Thompson's encounter with Mankiewicz, how does the author's friend recommend they defuse the situation?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Thompson describe the drug use among the other journalists?

2. In "August," why does Thompson discuss a demonstration he witnessed during a previous campaign?

3. How is Thompson's honesty a trademark of his writing?

4. Why is Thompson in such a dark mood in "October?"

5. How did passengers on the Zoo plane keep the politicians from boarding?

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

7. Describe the confrontation between Mankiewicz and Thompson.

8. During the demonstration of a previous campaign, what did Thompson realize about the police officers on the scene?

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

10. Why do Thompson and his friend decide to resolve the Mankiewicz situation by leaving?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the difficulties faced by the Democratic party in this campaign in the following format:

Part 1) Vietnam War.

Part 2) John F. and Robert Kennedy.

Part 3) Eagleton's mental health history and resignation.

Part 4) Nixon's inner circle of people.

Part 5) The lack of unity amongst the candidates.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

According to Thompson, why is the Chinese symbolism of Yin/Yang important to the 1972 election? How does he define "yin?" How does he define "yang?" How does he apply these concepts to McGovern and Nixon? In what ways does Thompson note that this is part of the pendulum swing in American politics? How is the public support of Nixon indicative of McGovern's policies in 1972?

Essay Topic 3

How does Hunter S. Thompson feel about politicians? How do politicians generally feel about Thompson? In what way is Thompson's outsider status as a writer for the counter-culture immediately setting him up as an adversary to all politicians? How does this affect his relationship to the Muskie campaign, as well as the McGovern campaign? Why does Frank Mankiewicz attack Thompson? How does all of this figure into Thompson's later declaration that he is going to run for the Senate?

(see the answer keys)

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