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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. During their search of William, what do the inspector’s analyze?

2. After his meeting with the doctor, what does Carl ask to evaluate photographs of?

3. When Carl awakens in the doctor’s office, what is he having tested?

4. What happens to the room when Carl wakes up in Chapter 18?

5. The author writes, “The subway sweeps by with a black blast of” what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Queens Plaza located? How does this setting relate to the other settings in the novel?

2. Who are Aracknid and Andrew Keif?

3. Why is Carl Peterson called for a doctor’s appointment in “The Examination”? Who sees him?

4. What shift takes place in the plot structure of the novel in “Hauser and O’Brien”?

5. How is the city of Interzone described?

6. How does the narrative perspective change in the courtroom scenes in the novel? What effect does this have?

7. Where does William Lee go after shooting Hauser and O’Brien? Why?

8. How does the setting of “A.J.’s Annual Party” relate to “Hassan’s Rumpus Room”?

9. How is A.J. described in “Islam Incorporated and the Parties of Interzone”?

10. Mary is both an observer and a participant in “A.J.’s Annual Party,” whereas the male characters are only participants. What does this say about the author’s views of female sexuality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss Hassan's Hospital in the narrative. What led to William being held at the hospital? What hallucinations does William describe for those undergoing withdrawal? What does Dr. Benway use as tools in his operation? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the character of Manuel in “Lazarus Go Home.” What history does William share with Manuel? How has Manuel changed from the days when he was still using drugs? How does William feel about those changes?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss and analyze the symbolism and imagery in “The Black Meat.” What does the Black Meat represent? How are the Reptiles and Mugwumps described? What do they symbolize? How do these creatures compare to one another? How do they compare to “people” in the narrative?

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This section contains 807 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample