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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 does Fred learn about himself and his family while reading the Rosewater Family History?

2. Who is the first person to visit Eliot on the day of his journey to Indianapolis?

3. Why does Eliot not recognize Kilgore Trout when he sees him sitting on the bench at the fountain?

4. What paper does Fred read surreptitiously with his coffee and Danish?

5. Who are the men seated across from Eliot at the fountain?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Buntlines have a servant, Selena, living in their home? How does Selena feel about living with the Buntlines?

2. What book does Eliot keep hidden in his office, and why does he have such strong feelings about it?

3. Fred and Caroline Rosewater live in Pisquontuit, Rhode Island. Describe the town and the people in it.

4. McAllister announces that Senator Rosewater now has fifty-seven grandchildren. How did this come about?

5. How has Eliot prepared for his trip to see Sylvia in Indianapolis? What is his night like before leaving for the trip?

6. When Eliot wakes, where does he find himself? Describe the situation and the reason for his condition. How long has he been "asleep?"

7. Who is Fred Rosewater? How is he related to the Rosewater family in Indiana? What does Fred do for a living?

8. Kilgore Trout puts his "spin" on Eliot's life in Rosewater. How does he explain Eliot's work for the people of Rosewater?

9. When Fred comes home, what happens that makes him think of suicide? What keeps him from killing himself?

10. In Chapter Nine, we meet Lila Buntline, Stewart and Caroline's daughter. What is Lila doing in the news store? How does she know Fred?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are two scenes that are high points in the novel: Eliot's argument with his father and his solution to the lawsuit he is facing. Which would you consider the climax of the novel and why?

Essay Topic 2

After living in Rosewater for five years, Sylvia has a nervous breakdown and burns down the fire station. She is sent to Indianapolis for treatment. Describe the disease for which Sylvia is treated by Dr. Ed Brown. What is the author trying to say about the wealthy in this diagnosis?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Eliot's analogy of the Money River. How does his analogy compare to society? Can anyone get ahead if there is indeed a Money River?

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