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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 offer from Nearly Normal Jimmy did John Paul decline after the disbanding of the circus?

2. When creating a sign that can be seen for miles, what shape does John Paul use in order to catch people's eyes?

3. According to John Paul, what disease has genetically altered mankind for the better?

4. What does Marx believe about John Paul and Amanda in regards to religion?

5. Fill in the blank: the name "Marvelous" was chosen by Marx Marvelous to trigger America's hatred of _______.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is significant about the suitcase found in Miami?

2. Describe John Paul Ziller's childhood.

3. What happens to Amanda's pregnancy?

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

5. Why did Plucky become a drug dealer?

6. What compromises do the Zillers make about food in their roadside zoo?

7. Describe John Paul's gifts to his wife in the hospital and meaning behind them.

8. Describe Plucky's college football career.

9. Why is Marx interested in working with John Paul and Amanda?

10. Describe the Society of the Felicitator.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the symbolism of Amanda's children in the following format:

Part 1) Baby Thor and his eyes.

Part 2) Amanda as an earth mother.

Part 3) The miscarriage.

Part 4) The cyclical nature of life.

Part 5) John Paul's death and Amanda's pregnancy.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Compose an essay about the significance of animals in "Another Roadside Attraction" in the following format:

Part 1) Butterflies.

Part 2) Amanda and John Paul's devotion to the garter snake.

Part 3) The zoo without animals.

Part 4) Tarzan's analysis of the god Pan.

Part 5) Mon Cul.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

"He's a symbol junkie . . . people like him- that is, the majority- are strung out on symbols. They're so addicted that they prefer abstract symbols to the concrete things which symbols represent. It's much easier to cope with the abstract than with the concrete; there's no direct, personal involvement- and you can keep an abstract idea steady in your mind whereas real things are usually in a state of flux and always changing. It's safer to play around with a man's wife than with his cliches." Write an essay about Amanda's statement. Discuss what it means to the Second Coming as depicted in this novel and how it affects the ways in which Amanda and John Paul live their lives. Develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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