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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. In Chapter 14, what does Andy plan to do for Christmas?

2. In Chapter 12, what does Andy say Dag needs to do soon or else he's going to "lose it"?

3. Claire thinks about the sun ruining the life of a farmer from which country?

4. What does Andy say is considered just about the worst thing that can happen to you in Japan?

5. Claire tells a story about a man named Buck. What is Buck's occupation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Andy tell us about himself in Chapter 9?

2. Why does Claire choose the corner of Cottonwood and Sapphire Avenues for their picnic in Chapter 3?

3. What does Buck ask each of the Monroe girls to do?

4. In Chapter 4, what spurs Dag's Toronto boss, Martin, into a tirade directed at Dag?

5. What do Clair and Andy discuss about Dag after he gets in touch with them following his disappearance to Nevada?

6. In Chapter 7, at what point does Andy say he knows he and Claire would be friends for life?

7. What does Margaret tell Dag is the only reason people get up and go to work everyday?

8. In Chapter 1, how does Claire describe the date she had just been on?

9. What historical challenge does Dag give to Margaret in Chapter 5?

10. In Chapter 14, what is Claire's theory of a "gripping stranger"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character Dag Bellinghausen. What are his defining character traits? What are his relationships with Andy and Claire like? Is Dag able to become a truth teller by the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the language of the novel. What is the meaning behind the title of the chapters? Discuss the unique language in the novel. How is the language a reflection of the lifestyles and attitudes of the main characters?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of storytelling in Generation X. Why is telling stories such an important past-time for these characters? What are some recurring characteristics of the way they tell their stories? What do their stories reveal about them? What are the rules they have set for storytelling?

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