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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 type of car does Julian emerge from at the end of Part 2?

2. What does Clay's mother's house smell like when he arrives?

3. Who picks Clay up from the airport?

4. What did Clay do the day after he and his sisters were in Palm Springs?

5. In Part 5, where does Rip tell Clay they should meet?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Clay call his psychiatrist in Part 8? What does he tell his psychiatrist?

2. What secret does Clay uncover about his friend Julian while visiting with Finn?

3. Describe Clay's day traveling from New Hampshire to Los Angeles.

4. What happens when Clay and Julian meet Finn at a night club?

5. Describe how Clay spends his time during the day on Christmas Eve.

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

7. Why does Clay visit his old elementary school? How has the school changed since his last visit there?

8. In Part 8, what is Daniel doing when Clay goes to visit him? What does Daniel want to talk about with Clay?

9. Describe Blair's Christmas party.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"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 2

Why are Clay and his friends fascinated with the dead boy the see in the alley? Why do the boys decide to stand around the body while they talk and smoke? Why do none of the characters inform the police about the dead boy's body? 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)

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