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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 does Scott think he will tell Charlie about the manuscript?

2. What night does Scott say is approaching?

3. Why does Brita not like the stories she is being told?

4. Who does Bill think about just before he dies?

5. What does George keep suggesting that Bill use?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize the novel.

2. Why doesn't George like using a word processor?

3. What signs are there that Karen is getting ill?

4. What does Scott think about in Bill's office?

5. What does Brita see from her bombed out apartment at the end of this section?

6. What does Karen watch on TV at Brita's apartment?

7. How does Karen become acquainted with the homeless people?

8. What does Karen think about on the plane?

9. How does Bill die in this section?

10. Describe the part of Beirut Brita is driving through at the beginning of the section.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the author's writing style. How would you describe the author's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? What meaning does the author's style give to the story?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the book's dialogue. How does the author's dialogue contribute to the following areas?

1. Character

2. Setting

3. Plot

Essay Topic 3

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

(see the answer keys)

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