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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. Where is the mysterious symbol on Amanda's body?

2. What sort of food was served at the now-abandoned restaurant the Zillers decide to buy?

3. What is significant about Amanda's pregnancy on the first night of her relationship with Ziller?

4. What does Ziller generally report as his profession on government forms?

5. What position does Marx Marvelous pursue with Amanda and John Paul?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the differing opinions on the spiritual power of thunderstorms?

2. How does John Paul pay for Amanda's hospitalization?

3. Why did Amanda's lover's band get arrested?

4. Why did Marx create a new name for himself?

5. What happens to Amanda's pregnancy?

6. According to the jumps in the future with the narrator, what is significant about John Paul's disappearance?

7. Describe Plucky's college football career.

8. How does Plucky Purcell keep the rednecks from hassling the circus?

9. What solution does Amanda come up with in regards to the animal portion of their zoo?

10. Describe John Paul Ziller's childhood.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Amanda as a possible replacement for Jesus Christ. Compare and contrast the two characters, particularly in regards to their religion and analyze the reasons who Marx believes that Amanda's brand of spirituality is more in tune with the needs of the modern world. Compose a thesis statement and cites specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay that analyzes Marx's vision of Jesus Christ and Pan and how this vision is essentially the apex of Marx's journey to discover a new brand of spirituality. Be sure to discuss, as well, the role Tarzan is apparently playing in the spiritual healing of Tibet (per Nearly Normal Jimmy). Develop a clear thesis statement and outline for this essay and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

How does John Paul and Amanda's love for one another reflect upon their individual spiritual beliefs? Compose an essay that analyzes the spiritual aspects of their relationship, including his acceptance of her children, their open sexual nature, and John Paul's decision to commandeer the experimental balloon. Be sure to also discuss how their personal motivations in life affect their ability to live with and without each other. Cite specific examples from the text so support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,281 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample