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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 has happened to several people who watch the mysterious tape?

2. What seems to have tainted Joelle's innocence?

3. What do the Wheelchair Assassins want to obtain?

4. What kind of relationship did James Incandenza have with his father?

5. When Hal visits the conversationalist, what is he able to recite parts of?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Orin being followed?

2. What significant event happens in Chapter 5, Year of the Depend Adult Undergarment?

3. Why does Joelle try to overdose at Molly's party?

4. What kind of relationship did Joelle and Orin have?

5. Who is Ken Erdedy?

6. Why do many of the Enfield students use drugs?

7. What kind of relationship do Hal, Orin and Mario have with Avril?

8. Which of the Incandenza brothers is the most stable?

9. Who is Don Gately?

10. Who is Kate Gompert?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does the title Infinite Jest suggest about the novel? Why do you think Wallace chose this title?

Essay Topic 2

Does each part of Infinite Jest serve a specific purpose? Are there any elements to the story that are pointless? If so, why are these elements still included?

Essay Topic 3

Which character develops the most throughout Infinite Jest? How do you know?

(see the answer keys)

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