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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 exists in a state of perpetual failure because motion is valued above direction and achievement?

2. Who did O'Rourke credit with George H. W. Bush's meteoric rise to popularity?

3. "Runaway car syndrome" is a situation where a vehicle spontaneously does what?

4. What ball did O'Rourke peek in on where he saw boogying and people playing the electric guitar?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. From O'Rourke's description, what does a congressman's job entail?

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

3. What does O'Rourke say is the best way to truly understand the function of government?

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

5. What does O'Rourke think about the modern high school civics text book?

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

7. How does O'Rourke depict Washington journalists?

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

9. How does O'Rourke feel that consumer advocates compel increased bureaucracy?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the title of O'Rourke's book. Who is he referring to when he speaks of the "parliament of whores"? Who are the "whores," and why does he use this word to describe this group? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

How does the author characterize the U.S. government? What techniques does he use to convey his feelings about the government to the reader? What does he mean when he says the government goes unchecked? Who does he think should be checking it?

Essay Topic 3

Why does O'Rourke say that the 1991 budget caused Bush to become less popular? What were the American people hoping for with Bush? What platform did he run on? How did increased taxes tie into into his decreased popularity?

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This section contains 878 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample