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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. In section thirty-nine, Bukowski says he attended Los Angeles High School during which decade?

2. How much does it cost Bukowski to rent a room for a week in section twenty-three?

3. What author does Bukowski encourage people to read in section twenty-five?

4. In section forty, where does Hank say he met Yevonna?

5. In section nineteen, the kids say that on the previous weekend Bukowski was dancing with what household item?

Short Essay Questions

1. What revelation is given about Bukowski and Henry at the end of section twenty-two?

2. What happens in section thirty-eight when Bukowski goes home drunk?

3. Describe what happens when Bukowski picks up the young prostitute and her lesbian manager in section twenty-five.

4. Why does the superior officer in section thirty-six finally order Stirkoff to be taken to the torture chamber?

5. What is Yevonna like physically before her marriage to Hank, and how does that change after the marriage in section forty?

6. Describe how Bukowski earns $50 in section thirty-four.

7. What happens in section twenty-nine when Mary brings Eddie and the Duchess to Bukowski's place?

8. Describe what happened to Felica after she and Hank ran away from Yevonna in section forty.

9. How does the landlady in section twenty-eight respond to the broken bed?

10. Describe the conflict between Elsie and the cabbie in section thirty-one.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In general, Bukowski writes autobiographically. Has he truly experienced everything he writes about? Or has he made a lot of it up? Write a persuasive essay arguing one way or the other, and be sure to include supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Is Bukowski a Republican or a Democrat? Based on his stated political views, decide which party he most easily fits and write a persuasive essay categorizing him that way. Be sure to use quotes and other supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Does Bukowski mean what he says in his foreword about not caring what his audience thinks of him? Does his repeated use of Henry/Hank suggest otherwise? In a well-developed essay, argue one way or the other. Use supporting information from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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