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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 plant does Bill read about in this chapter?

2. What does the lawyer want to use as evidence that Bill was not legally competent when he signed the statement?

3. What does Bill Smuggle into Old Ike?

4. Of what does Bill complain that his apartment smells?

5. Who does Bill meet at the beginning of this segment?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is drink affecting Bill in a bad way in Segment 10?

2. Describe Bill's arrest.

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

4. Describe the drug trade in Mexico.

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

6. Why does Bill decide to flee to Mexico?

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

8. Of what do appendices 4, 5, 6 and 7 consist?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Burroughs' life. In what way do you think his life and personality is reflected in the book?

Essay Topic 2

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

1) Character

2) Setting

3) Plot

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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