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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 kind of drug does Bill find?

2. Who takes Bill away from the bar and onto the streets?

3. What kind of glossary does Bill present at the end of the book?

4. Where does Bill live in Texas?

5. Who do the police threaten to incarcerate?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rollins help Bill make a recovery from drugs and alcohol?

2. How does Old Ike help Bill in this segment?

3. Summarize the novel.

4. Describe Bill's time with the young drug users.

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

6. What is the purpose of what seems an irrelevant segment?

7. Why do Pat and Bill decide to stop selling drugs?

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

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

10. Describe Bill's arrest.

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

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Burroughs use character and dialogue to drive the narrative.

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main character examine the way Burroughs uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 3

Why is it important that drug addiction is addressed by someone who has experienced it? Do you think Burroughs' views have ever seriously been addressed in America?

(see the answer keys)

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