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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 does Gian do to Effrom?

2. Where does Rivera's search for clues begin?

3. What do others call Sergeant Irving Nailsworth behind his back?

4. What did Jennifer want to be when she grew up?

5. What does Travis reveal to Augustus as the reason for his leaving the seminary?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize the story of how Travis called Catch.

2. What does Augustus bring into his house, with the help of Gian? What does he explain they are?

3. Why does Robert think he is being arrested, and what, in fact, are the actual charges?

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

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

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

7. Explain what happens to Effrom in Chapter 35.

8. Explain why Augustus lets Travis go.

9. Describe Travis and Jennifer's evening after they arrive at her home at the end of Chapter 22.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the story, there is a constant theme that a secret, supernatural world underlies the mundane, everyday world these characters exist in each day. Several events in the novel point to this supernatural world, and some of these events are small in terms of the plot of the novel, but larger when viewed from an overall standpoint. Choose one of these types of events, explain it in detail, and then analyze how such an event indicates such an underlying world.

Essay Topic 2

Augustus Brine is "chosen" to help save the world from the demon, Catch. He could have chosen not to participate, and instead accepted the situation as futile, thereby allowing the world to perish. Explain, using details from the book, those characteristics of Augustus Brine that made him suitable for the job, and unable to not accept the responsibility.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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