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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. Seeing the strange collection of tourists, journalists, and protesters, O'Rourke contemplated that Washington really needs what?

2. What is the name of the textbook that O'Rourke criticized for being boring?

3. Who was the keynote speaker at the 1988 Democratic convention?

4. What political party did Lloyd Bentsen belong to?

5. What was Dukakis' wife named?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does O'Rourke feel about the Democratic speeches given during a visit to the House of Representatives?

4. How does O'Rourke describe the day he shadowed a congressman?

5. Why does O'Rourke believe that the United States government remains unchecked?

6. How does O'Rourke depict Washington journalists?

7. 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?

8. How does O'Rourke suppose that most Americans feel about the United States government?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore O'Rourke's idea that the U.S. president is merely a symbol. What does he represent? What does O'Rourke believe the true role of the president of the U.S. is? What reasons does he give for feeling this way?

Essay Topic 2

How does O'Rourke say the government essentially put itself into debt? How does the government spend its money, according to the author? What does O'Rourke say is the main reason the country is in debt? What techniques does the author use to express his feelings about the government's spending habits? What point is O'Rourke trying to make about the government and the citizens?

Essay Topic 3

Explore O'Rourke's story concerning runaway car syndrome and the hype around it. What does runaway car syndrome have to do with bureaucracy? How do instances like runaway car syndrome seem to fuel increased bureaucracy? How does O'Rourke seem to feel about increased bureaucracy in the U.S. government? What techniques does the author use to convey these feelings?

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