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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 Andy and Claire's eyes, where do the MacArthurs live permanently?

2. Who is Elvissa?

3. What color does Elvissa paint her nails with in Chapter 16?

4. What does Claire believe the stick she found will lead her to?

5. At the end of Chapter 29, before returning to the party, what does Dag do to Andy?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. According to Andy, why will this year's Christmas holiday be different at the Palmer home?

4. What does Andy explain about his father's health in Chapter 25?

5. What does Andy's mother say on the topic of children never leaving home?

6. What does Andy do for his family on Christmas morning?

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

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

9. In Chapter 17, what does Claire describe as her memory of life on earth?

10. What does Andy tell Dag about a little Japanese girl he lived with in Chapter 29?

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 sun motif. What does sun and light represent in this novel? How do the three main characters view the sun? Do their views of the sun and light change as the novel progresses? If so, how?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of metaphor in Generation X. How does Coupland's use of metaphors enhance the narrative? How does the use of metaphors reiterate the key themes of the novel?

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