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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. Why does Bill not argue with the police?

2. Why do Bill and Pat decide to stop selling?

3. What does Bill begin searching for the moment he arrives in Mexico City?

4. What does Burroughs present in Appendix 2?

5. What does Bill go home to fetch in this section?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Summarize the novel.

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

6. What are Bill's relationship with drugs in Segment 11?

7. What does Bill do after he is released from prison?

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

9. Of what does Appendix 3 consist?

10. What is Bill's wife's main complaint about his habit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the values of 1930's America.

1) Why was morality such an issue during this time?

2) In what ways are the characters negative characteristics a product of their time? Do you think America was going through a transitional phase in the thirties? What significant changes do you think occurred during this period?

3) Does modern society share any values with Thirties America?

Essay Topic 3

Examine Burroughs' writing style. How would you describe Burroughs' prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does Burroughs' style give to the story?

(see the answer keys)

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