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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. How many times has the narrator materialized since becoming a ghost?

2. What important object is missing from the Bahia?

3. As far as humanity is concerned, the Bahia is the new __________.

4. What is Ziggie?

5. Whose wife did James Wait have sexual relations with when he was still in Midland City, Ohio?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Siegfried von Kleist dance in Chapter 37?

2. Is Siegfried von Kleist successful at committing suicide in Chapter 38? Explain.

3. In the beginning of Chapter 13, what is Selena and Hisako seeking and finding?

4. What does the narrator say after the death of Kazakh and James Wait? Why does he say this?

5. Why is the Bahia considered to be a ghost ship in the opinion of humankind?

6. How does Quezeda feed his brain's thirst for self-esteem and alcohol?

7. Why are the Kanka-bono girls laughing at the Captain in Chapter 11? Why does the Captain think they are laughing?

8. What happens to Kazakh in Chapter 31?

9. How is the Bahia married to the South American mainland?

10. What is the launching of Reyes's missile compared to in Chapter 34?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrator, Leon Trout, states that all the sorrows of humankind are caused by "the only true villain in my story: the oversized human brain." Do you agree with his statement? Explain by using specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

The New York Times Book Review claims that "Vonnegut is a postmodern Mark Twain." Do you agree with this statement? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

In Book 2: Chapter 7, Leon Trout must face the decision whether to go into the afterlife or stay for a million years to watch humanity evolve. He cannot let go of the unfolding story of humankind, at least not for another million years. Why do you think Leon is given a million years to stay on earth? Do you think there is a limit to the amount of knowledge the Father wants Leon to have? Explain.

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