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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 is the name of the game the Enfield students invented?

2. Who watched a classmate die after he achieved his goal?

3. Who believes, and is angry, that they are being given powdered milk with meals?

4. Which character describes a dark shape that has enveloped him twice?

5. In Chapter 50, why has Hal been called into the office?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Hal's dreams about losing his teeth represent?

2. What parallels does Wallace draw between the Entertainment and drugs?

3. How does Orin treat women?

4. What is an example of James being a genius but inability to deal with real life matters?

5. In what way has Hal lost Mario?

6. What is Remy's view of American culture?

7. What does Hal think of Avril and Charles possibly being related?

8. Why did Avril have an affair during her marriage to James?

9. What problems does Don Gately have with sobriety?

10. How is Mario affected by his films not being as popular as his father's?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The character of Lyle is symbolic of one's desire to feed off the exertion of others. What characters fit into this category? Identify at least two characters who might fit into this pattern.

Essay Topic 2

Why does the reader have a difficult time discerning Avril's intentions and motivations? What do you think these intentions and motivations are?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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