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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 is Jennifer revealed to be?

2. What does Rivera find in Travis' suitcase?

3. What does Augustus do to Travis at the end of Chapter 24?

4. Who does Spider ask Rivera to check on in Pine Cove?

5. Who interrupts Howard's translation?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why Augustus lets Travis go.

2. What does Rivera not report the bullet hole he finds in the Elliott's home?

3. How do Augustus and Gian catch Travis at the end of Chapter 24?

4. Where do Rachel, Augustus, and Gian go at the end of the novel, and what do they do?

5. Explain what Robert sees when he looks through Jennifer's window. Where has he seen Travis previously?

6. Explain, in detail, why Amanda doesn't tell Effrom she is aware of his smoking and of his watching of women's exercise programs, and what she does to extend his pleasure.

7. What does Rachel tell Travis when he calls him at Jennifer's?

8. Explain the plan Howard, Robert, Travis, Augustus, and Gian plan in the Head of the Slug in Chapter 32.

9. What connection does the Nailgun find between the names and dates in Travis' suitcase?

10. Why does Catch want to kidnap Jennifer at the end of Chapter 28?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Travis attempts to steer Catch to specific victims, such as criminals, when he needs to feed. Such an action generally implies a judgment about the value of other human beings. Do you believe Travis has a right to make such judgments? Why or why not? Do you think his actions are moral? Why or why not? Do you agree with Travis' judgments that criminals should be killed first, if someone has to be killed? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Murder, or the threat of murder, is used to attain many goals in the novel. Rachel and Catch, for example, use murder for two very different reasons. Choose one of these characters, and discuss their use of murder or the threat of murder to achieve their goals. Be sure to analyze their victims, why they kill or threaten, and whether or not you believe their actions in each case are justified. Also, be sure to explain the situation under which they kill or threaten to kill their victims.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, the lives of the characters prove to be connected in ways they do not understand. Amanda and Travis are connected through their night on the train, Nailsworth is involved with Roxanne, who is Billy, who has been eaten by Catch, and so forth. Rivera is asked to check on Roxanne, and is connected with Robert and The Breeze through an impending drug bust. This interconnectedness appears to suggest an order for the universe, which is in direct contrast to Augustus' belief in chaos.

Using examples from the book, explain which view of the universe you believe the novel represents. Are the situations in the novel chaotic in nature, or based on an orderly undercurrent? Why do you believe this is the case? What does this say about the author's view of the universe? Does this coincide with the religious undertones of the novel? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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