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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. Where does Charlie ask Bill to go with him to help with the hostages?

2. How does the author describe the colors Maureen is wearing?

3. Who hates cold showers?

4. What is Bil doing outside the bathroom window?

5. Where did Scott find Bill had taken refuge?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Brita say she can't talk seriously in cars?

2. What does Bill say binds terrorists and writers?

3. How does Brita come to the conclusion that she wants to photograph only writers?

4. Why does Scott say that he tells Bill what he does?

5. How does Charlie say he is dealing with his current crop of moaning writers?

6. What is Karen watching on television?

7. Why does Karen both scare and delight Bill?

8. Why does Brita say she is scared of writers?

9. What does Charlie remember fondly about the fifties?

10. Describe the tour of Bill's house.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following and discuss how it affects the tone of the book and helps to express character and theme.

1. Setting

2. Point of view

3. Structure

4. Language

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following characters in the novel and discuss how their character changes through the story.

1. Karen

2. Bill

3. Scott

4. Brita

Essay Topic 3

Why does the novel start and end with a wedding? What are the similarities and differences between the two weddings? What different meaning do they give the story?

(see the answer keys)

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