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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 is the name of the man sharing Bukowski's apartment with whom he has the unintended sexual encounter in section twenty-seven?

2. According to section twenty-seven, how much money did it take for Bukowski to have a party in his room?

3. In which of the following cities does section twenty-three take place?

4. In section thirty-eight, Bukowski says his mother was from what country?

5. Hank is finally forced to move his family to Yevonna's mother's house in section forty. In which of the following towns does the mother live?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the relationship between the two speakers in section twenty, and what evidence suggests it?

2. What is the letter Bukowski relates in section twenty-six?

3. Describe Bukowski's experience in the tough bar in section twenty-one.

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

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

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

7. Describe Lou's plan to strike it rich in section thirty-three.

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

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

10. Describe how Bukowski meets the woman who ends up at his place in section nineteen.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick one of the statements from section 22 and write an essay detailing three ways in which this statement can be seen in practice in Bukowski's life (or in the life of one of his characters). Be sure to include supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Bukowski's view of homosexuality with that of his friend Kerouac. Be sure to include quotes and supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 3

How do Bukowski's friendships affect him? Pick three of his friends in the book and compare and contrast the influence each has on his life. Be sure to include supporting information from the text.

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