View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what did Hamper compare Dave's styled hair?

2. While visiting the factory, what did Moore really want to do?

3. How much time passed between Hamper's first breakdown and his second?

4. Who was the first person to call Hamper after The Wall Street Journal article was printed?

5. To what does Hamper compare his factory job?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of relationship did Gino have with his men? Why did this lead to his eventual transfer away from the Rivet Line?

2. What was Hamper's reaction to the news that Louise Mandrell had ordered a GM Suburban? How does this fit what the reader already knows about Hamper's personality?

3. How did Hamper's fellow factory workers respond to the article in the Wall Street Journal? Given the tone of this part of the story, where did Hamper actually get his happiness?

4. How did the men on the Rivet Line deal with the supervisor sent in to replace Gino? How was this a sign that they are powerful?

5. Hamper describes Paul Schobel's work techniques through a series of natural metaphors (pg 189). Why is this different from what might be expected? How is it humorous?

6. What kind of place was Mark's Lounge? How was this place exactly what Hamper needed?

7. At the beginning of Chapter 5, how did Hamper portray the employees of the Michigan Employment Security Commission? Is this a fair picture?

8. What kind of supervisor was Gino? How did Hamper respond to his leadership?

9. What did Hamper think when Janice came to work on the Rivet Line? How was his reaction different from the men around him and how might this be surprising?

10. Why did General Motors become concerned with the quality of their vehicles? Given Hamper's tone while telling this story, what was his response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 5, Hamper recounts the behaviors and antics of several of his coworkers. What makes these stories funny? How does Hamper choose words and phrases to emphasize the humor of the stories?

Essay Topic 2

"Layin' back is a fine reward when you're employed. However, layin' back tends to wear thin when it itself becomes your job. Gettin' loaded, readin' magazines, staring at the television becomes a rut rather than any form of relaxation" (pg 83). How is this true? What part did unemployment play in Hamper's life? How did it change his opinion about working?

Essay Topic 3

Why did Hamper always remember the man who came late for the GM work call, the first time he worked at the factory (pg 32)? How might his thoughts about the incident have changed as he moved in and out of GM?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,814 words (approx. 7 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample