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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. Who wrote the letter in section twenty-six?

2. What is the name of the man at the beginning of section thirty-six?

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

4. As section twenty-three ends, Bukowski heads to which of the following cities?

5. In which of the following cities does section twenty-one take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Bukowski's housing situation in section twenty-three.

2. In section twenty-four, describe the relationship between Bukowski and his wife.

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

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

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

6. Describe how Hank finally gets rid of William in section twenty-seven.

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Is Bukowski simply unlucky with women, or is he purposely unlucky? Develop a thesis arguing whether his repeated relationship failures are pure mishap or if he plans them that way. Include supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss Bukowski's view of death based on his comments in the book. Be sure to include quotes and other necessary supporting information.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Bukowski's time at the Olympic with his time at the race track. What lessons does he learn from each place? Include supporting information from the appropriate sections.

(see the answer keys)

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