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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 grade is Hal in when he writes the essay, in Chapter 23?

2. What is the name of the student at Enfield Tennis Academy who is ill, and has vague and vibrant dreams?

3. What is the name of the star of James Incandenza's movies?

4. What does the oiled guru like to do to people after they work out?

5. Where is WheelChair Assassins from?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Ken Erdedy?

2. What role does Lyle play?

3. Why does Ken Erdedy cut all ties with his drug dealers, only to begin smoking again?

4. Do the students at Enfield face any consequences for their drug use?

5. Describe Hal Incandenza.

6. Who is Wardine?

7. What advice do the older tennis students have for the younger students and what purpose does it serve?

8. In Chapters 21 - 25, what kind of relationship do Orin and Hal have?

9. How does Wallace create back stories for the characters?

10. What kind of relationship did James seem to have with his sons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

What purpose do the names of the years serve? Why does Wallace include a list of all the years? Why did he choose to name them instead of number them?

Essay Topic 3

What kind of relationship do Hal and Mario have? Why does it make sense that Mario looks to Hal for guidance and reassurance even though Hal is younger? What types of events cause strain in their relationship?

(see the answer keys)

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