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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. After visiting with Muriel, where does Clay agree to meet Rip?

2. What does Clay do when Julian does not show up for their meeting?

3. Who calls Clay to set-up a meeting between him and Julian?

4. Who approaches Clay as he is waiting for Julian to arrive at their agreed upon location?

5. Why is Clay suspicious about loaning the money to Julian?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lene tell Blair, Kim, and Clay when they see her? Why do Kim and Blair pretend that they do not know about Lene's good news?

2. What images stick in Clay's head after he hears a particular song while in Los Angeles on vacation?

3. What does Clay do once he is settled in at home?

4. Describe Clay's visit with the psychiatrist in Part 6 of the book.

5. What do Clay and Rip encounter while on Mulholland Drive? What does it remind them of?

6. Why does Rip contact Clay? What happens when Clay shows up to meet Rip?

7. Where does Clay go after leaving the club After Hours and who does he go with? What happens when he gets there?

8. What information does Clay share with Trent while they are at Spago for appetizers and drinks?

9. What memory of Palm Springs does Clay think about as he is swimming laps in the pool?

10. What does Clay remember about the party that occurred at the house of a friend of his cousin? What happened at the party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Clay agree to go along with Julian to his appointment? Why does Clay excuse himself during Julian's appointment? What does Clay have to do in order to stay at the hotel with Julian? Please use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

"Death" is an important theme in the novel and Clay seems to be obsessed with it. Why is Clay obsessed with death? How does he show his obsession with death? What role does "death" play in the novel? Please use specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Why are all of the characters in the novel, Less Than Zero, in some stage of desperation? Why and how do they choose to numb the intensity of any possible alienation or pain? Please use specific examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,111 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample