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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 group is mentioned in the poem?

2. What body part is mentioned?

3. Which word best describes the child?

4. Which word best describes Ginsberg's attitude about the specific weapon?

5. What has impaired Ginsberg's mental condition?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one of the main things that Ginsberg opposes during this time?

2. What is Ginsberg's comment about immigrants and their treatment in America?

3. How long will Ginsberg continue to work at Greyhound? What is his opinion of the wage and capitalism?

4. What childhood memory of politics does Ginsberg recall? How do those memories affect the present?

5. When was AN ASPHODEL written and what is the main theme of the poem?

6. What is at least one of Ginsberg's comments about the racks and baggage?

7. In what room in his apartment does the poet talk about his needs? What is his condition?

8. What is one of the main themes in this poem? To what does Ginsberg compare the flower?

9. What is the child thinking about? How does it relate to his family?

10. What path of thought does the item inspire?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ginsberg refers to Carl Solomon's stint in a mental institution. Examine Ginsberg's tales. Do you think they are true or false? Why? Compare and contrast today's institutions with ones commonly found in the 1950s. Discuss different treatments, effectiveness, facilities, etc. Also discuss the common use of shock treatments as a method of curing insanity.

Essay Topic 2

Compare communism, socialism and capitalism. Use examples of each to illustrate points including pros and cons as well as political and social ramifications. In your opinion which is best? Explain. Using Ginsberg's poetry as a starting point, what do you believe the poet's opinion was of each? Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Although there may have been difficult times post World War I and World War II, Ginsberg speaks a lot about gratitude. Why is gratitude so important? How is it possible to be grateful in the face of poverty or war? What is Ginsberg's opinion on material possessions? Explain what Ginsberg meant by having riches beyond material things. Write an opinion on simplicity versus materialism.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 615 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample