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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. In Story 7, the narrator recalls that on his ________ birthday, Michelle tried to ________ the narrator.

2. According to the narrator of Story 6, where he is now, how many weeks of winter occur in September?

3. What embarrassing moment does the narrator of Story 9 remember happening to him at the library?

4. According to the narrator in Story 8, ________ is Seattle's much favored sad jukebox song.

5. How long does Happy Hour last in Story 9?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Bill define him? What is his perspective on the world? Explain.

2. Where does the action of the second part of Story 8 take place? Describe this location.

3. In what way is the large horse pill the narrator receives in Story 9 a prize for the narrator?

4. Discuss the irony behind Bill seeing the victims of a car crash as "just meat."

5. Who does the term "other man" refer to in Story 8.

6. Discuss the relationship between John Smith and Michelle.

7. What does the final lines in Story 7 reveal about the narrator's view of Michelle's abortion?

8. Discuss the importance of Terrence's knife in Story 6.

9. Who is the only female in Story 7 that is given a name? Why is she the only one the narrator names?

10. How did Bill receive his bullet holes? How do these bullet holes haunt Bill?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the ending of Jesus' Son. Explain precisely how and why the ending appropriately or inappropriately concludes the book.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze, discuss, and explain the significance the following quote found in Story 1: "I knew every raindrop by its name. I sensed everything before it happened. I knew a certain Oldsmobile would stop for me even before it slowed, and by the sweet voices of the family inside it I knew we'd have an accident in the storm. I didn't care. They said they'd take me all the way."

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how the narrator can be defined as a tragic figure. Explain how the suffering brought upon others by the narrator contributes to the tragic vision of the book as a whole.

(see the answer keys)

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