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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. Whom did Bobby Kennedy refer to as "the most decent man in the Senate?"

2. What two people does Thompson compare to the Yin/Yang?

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

4. How does Thompson chronicle "November Concluded?"

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

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways is Thompson introducing new readers to the world of politics?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Why did Ron Ziegler become Nixon's PR man?

9. What are Thompson's feelings about Nixon?

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

In what ways are Hunter S. Thompson's encounters throughout this book indicative of the class struggles in America in 1972? How is Thompson regarded in terms of class? How does this affect his writing? In what ways are these class struggles particularly apparent in the meet-and-greets with different constituents?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Nixon and McGovern's respective campaigns in the following format:

Part 1) McGovern's policies.

Part 2) The Eagleton situation.

Part 3) Thompson's estimation of Nixon.

Part 4) The "Nazi-moves" of the Nixon administration.

Part 5) Thompson's interview with Nixon.

Part 6) Nixon's defeat of McGovern.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

How does Thompson simultaneously both promote and subvert honesty in journalism? In what ways is his account of the campaign trail in 1972 completely accurate? In what ways is it factually incorrect? How does his use of satire and exaggerations help to engage the reader into experiencing what the author is experiencing? How do some of his exaggerations undermine some of the presidential candidates? How does this relate to Thompson's annoyance at the dishonesty present in several politicians?

(see the answer keys)

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