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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 building does Dag point out to Andy in Chapter 16?

2. What does Andy credit with keeping him "level" in Chapter 20?

3. What is the title of Chapter 24?

4. Why does Andy feel it was a mistake for him to come home for Christmas?

5. What TV character does Andy compare his brother Tyler to?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 17, what does Dag explain will be his memory of life on earth?

2. What is the significance of the title of the story Elvissa tells, "The Boy with the Hummingbird Eyes"?

3. How does Andy describe the MacArthurs in Chapter 20?

4. What does Dag do to the Aston Martin convertible that is parked not far from Larry's Bar?

5. In Chapter 28, what do we find out was the reason Tobias was attracted to Claire?

6. How does Elvissa get her name?

7. In her story in Chapter 18, what does Elvissa notice about the apartment Curtis is staying at?

8. When Andy and Tyler go shopping on Christmas Eve, why does Andy believe people are looking at them strangely?

9. What types of people are in attendance at Bunny Hollander's New Year's Eve party?

10. What does Andy say about his brother Tyler's group of friends, the "Global Teens"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the protagonist of Generation X, Andy Palmer. What are his defining character traits? What is he struggling with throughout the narrative? Describe his lifestyle and outlook on life. Is Andy truthful with himself and his friends? How does he progress throughout the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Andy's, Claire's, and Dag's transformation. Do they all grow and transform equally? How do their personal transformations come about? How are their transformations conveyed to the reader? What symbols and metaphors does the author use to illustrate these important events?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the power of friendship in the novel. What are the relationships between the three main characters like?

(see the answer keys)

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