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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. Which of the following adjectives best describes Doctor T. Pimko?

2. Which of the following characters doesn't know who Norwid is?

3. Who does Kneadus attack upon entering the Youngblood home?

4. What is the schoolgirl doing when Joey barges into her bedroom after the phone call?

5. How does Kopydra react when Joey tries to engage him in the schoolyard battle?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Kopydra?

2. How does Joey react when Zuta calls him a clown?

3. What career path has Joey chosen for himself, and what is the general consensus from his family?

4. How do the school kids respond when they see Pimko spying on them, taking notes?

5. What division takes place on the schoolyard after Pimko's notes have been read?

6. How is Mrs. Filidor caught in the crossfires of her husband's battle?

7. What relationship does Pimko hope will transpire between Joey and Zuta?

8. What is Mrs. Youngblood's reaction to Joey's age?

9. What happens in the battle of face-pulling between Syphus and Kneadus?

10. How does Dr. Pimko react when he reads the writing Joey has completed after waking from his strange dream?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Joey has various crushes on female characters he comes across. First, describe the first romantic crush Joey has on a female character in the novel. How does he respond to these romantic feelings? Then, compare Joey's first crush to a crush he has later on in the novel. What has changed in the way Joey responds to these romantic feelings? How do these scenes show growth in Joey's character? Choose at least two examples of scenes from the text that you believe best exemplify and strengthen your argument and describe those scenes in this essay.

Essay Topic 2

In the narration of this novel, it becomes increasingly clear to the reader that "reality" is fluid. First, explain what the narrator means by "fluid reality." Who seems to be in charge of this reality and how does this character exert control over the form? Choose at least two examples of scenes from the text that you believe best exemplify and strengthen your argument and describe those scenes in this essay.

Essay Topic 3

In Pimko's school, the best attribute a student can have is immaturity. First, describe why immaturity is such an alluring character trait for the students in Pimko's school. Then, describe how the teachers manipulate the immature students' brains. What commentary is Gombrowicz making about academia in general through the use of his overbearing, opinionated teachers? Choose at least two examples of scenes from the text that you believe best exemplify and strengthen your argument and describe those scenes in this essay.

(see the answer keys)

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