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. For what kind of drug do Bill and Old Ike ask the doctors to write prescriptions?

2. What does Bill Smuggle into Old Ike?

3. What do the police do to people with injection scars?

4. What does Old Ike begin purchasing from pharmacies each month?

5. What does Lupita control?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Bill's situation by the end of this segment?

2. How does the government help Bill and Old Ike continue their habits?

3. Why does Bill decide to flee to Mexico?

4. Describe Bill's time in Texas in Section 8.

5. In what way do the police treat Bill badly?

6. What does Bill say happens to time when using morphine?

7. Summarize the novel.

8. Of what does this final section of the novel consist?

9. What does Bill discuss with the police in the interview in section 7?

10. What information does Gains bring about Bill's old acquaintances?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick a character from the novel and discuss his/her goals and motives. Does he/she achieve his/her motive? Does he/she share similar goals and motives with other characters? Does his/her goals clash with other characters? How do the characters' goals and motives affect his/her interactions with each other?

Essay Topic 2

In the novel, Burroughs has many homosexual encounters.

1) How was homosexuality viewed in the 1930's?

2) How does Burroughs' sexual orientation affect his life? Does it have any bearing on his drug addiction?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the novel's dialogue. How does Burroughs' dialogue contribute to the following areas:

1) Character

2) Setting

3) Plot

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 695 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample