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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 "Only Human in His Own Immortal Way: The President," O'Rourke mocks what Act?

2. O'Rourke begins "Protectors of a Blameless Citizenry: The Bureaucracy" by talking about what government department?

3. According to a study by a foundation, what percent of Americans did not know what party Llotd Bentsen was affiliated with during an election?

4. What is the name of the group of journalists who ask questions and take photos at the White House?

5. In what newspaper did an article about "runaway car syndrome" appear?

Short Essay Questions

1. What problems does O'Rourke see with the U.S. Constitution?

2. What did a study show about the Audi 500 and its supposed runaway car syndrome?

3. How does O'Rourke describe the Democratic National Convention?

4. How does O'Rourke feel that the American political system is like a Mexican Christmas fiesta?

5. What examples does O'Rourke give to say that America's government now embodies the same tyrannical bent that compelled the American colonies to secede from England?

6. How does O'Rourke feel about George H. W. Bush's 1991 budget?

7. How does O'Rourke describe one-minute speeches?

8. How does O'Rourke feel about George H. W. Bush's rise to fame?

9. How does O'Rourke describe the Republican and Democratic platforms during the 1988 elections?

10. How does O'Rourke feel about Jesse Jackson's speech, which he watched from his hotel room?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore O'Rourke's idea of the "whiffle life." How does it apply to people with different economic statuses? How do the rich fair in the whiffle life? How do the poor fair? What point is O'Rourke making about the country in general when he speaks about the "whiffle life"?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the author's feelings about the Republican and Democratic parties. How does he characterize Republicans and their ideals? How does he characterize Democrats and their ideals? What characteristic do the parties share? What faults does he find with each party? Does he say anything positive about each party?

Essay Topic 3

How does the author describe journalists? How does he seem to feel about these people? What techniques does the author use to show his opinions of Washington journalists? Why might his feelings about journalists be ironic? Does he address this irony?

(see the answer keys)

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