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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. Bangs believes that Laughner bought into a rock culture that celebrates ______, and Bangs subsequently denounces that culture.

2. Bangs believes that the album "Metal Machine Music" is the ultimate evolution of using _______.

3. In an excerpt from his review of Peter Guralinick's book, Bangs focused on Sam Phillips, the owner of _______.

4. Bangs is disappointed in The Clash's behavior when their driver _____ gets into fight with a young fan.

5. The woman in the Maggie May story goes to the bar the next day looking _______ because she has no money.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bangs reveal that he and his friends hate doing, when he is writing in the first part of this section?

2. Why is Bangs surprised by the amount of racism that is present in punk rock and in punk rock music?

3. Why does Hell believe that self-hatred is important, according to the way that Bangs writes about him?

4. Why is it difficult for Bangs to see Elvis as a tragic character in the music world?

5. What happens between the man and the woman in the opening part of this section that causes her to kick him out?

6. What does Bangs note about any band which is now considered to be great in the eyes of the culture?

7. Why does Bangs think it is pointless to get bogged down in who created a musical style?

8. What does Bangs believe about the music of Bob Seger when he reviews his album?

9. Why does Bangs believe Richard Hell's style of punk rock is necessary in the world?

10. What is it about Hell's music that disturbs Bangs, according to the way he writes about the music?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dick Clark is a surprising figure in this story, sounding as though he doesn't agree with pop music, even though he seems to celebrate it.

Part 1: How do you think Bangs feels about Clark before and after their meeting?

Part 2: Why do you think Clark points out that music is not original?

Part 3: Why do you think popular culture tends to enjoy the same sort of music over and over?

Essay Topic 2

Bangs is a music critic, someone who is paid to talk about his opinions about music, which sometimes are stilted and unbalanced.

Part 1: Do you think a music critic should try to be more balanced in their writing?

Part 2: Do you agree with most of Bangs' ideas about music?

Part 3: How do you think a music critic is able to criticize music without letting their own tastes get in the way? Is this possible?

Essay Topic 3

Reed and Bangs are insulting each other when they are first talking to each other the interview they have in the book.

Part 1: Why do you think the two men decide to insult each other when they are talking?

Part 2: Do you think it's good form to insult another person you are interviewing?

Part 3: How do you think Bangs should have treated Reed in that particular interview?

(see the answer keys)

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