View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Shannon and Brandy search for along with the drugs?

2. Why does Brandy ask for the Darvons?

3. What objects do Seth, Brandy, and Shannon throw from the Space Needle?

4. What does Shannon believe is only possible with an audience?

5. What does Brandy's father feed his pigs?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Brandy make Rona Barrett her new Supreme Being?

2. What causes Shannon's disfigurement?

3. Why do Evie and Shannon continually visit the department store?

4. What has Shannon told her parents, instead of telling them about the accident?

5. Why does Evie live in a mansion in the suburbs?

6. What device does the author employ again and again to convey Shannon's emotions?

7. What is Brandy's final request to Shannon before she dies?

8. What is Seth's theory about television?

9. What is the one thing Shannon has wanted to be asked?

10. Why does Manus have pornography magazines around his apartment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

According to Brandy, Shannon is not responsible for the way she acts. We are all products of products of products, and have no real choice in whom we become. How is this idea reflected in the novel? Has Brandy broken out of this cycle or does she consider herself a part of it? How has Shannon attempted to break outside of herself? By the end of the novel, has she accomplished her goals? Why or why not? Be sure to include textual evidence in your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Do a character study of Manus Kelley. What role does he play in the novel? How does his relationships with the other characters further the plot? How does his character contribute to the central themes of the novel? Is he a static character or does he undergo changes throughout the text? Though he travels with Brandy and Shannon, would you consider him a main character or a supporting character? How are his many aliases representative of Manus himself?

Explore some of his female-hormone inspired rants on God, parents, and television. What points are the author trying to make about society through Manus? Why is Manus so obsessed with the idea that television makes people like God? Be sure to use examples from the text in your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

The author makes use of juxtapositions in the text. Examine the photo shoots that Shannon recounts. How is juxtaposition used? What are the locations of the shoots? What do the models have to wear? What other literary elements can be detected in these scenes? How does the author's use of description contribute to the overall effect?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 641 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample