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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 drug was once found on Plucky that helped lead to his dishonorable discharge from the military?

2. What is Nearly Normal Jimmy's explanation for why thunderstorms can affect human beings so strongly?

3. What is Amanda's job in the Indo Tibetan Circus and Giant Panda Gypsy Blues Band?

4. What solution does Amanda come up with in regards to their animal-less zoo?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is significant about Plucky's job in logging?

3. Why is John Paul distracted when he and Amanda begin to restore the shack and how does she feel about it?

4. Who is Amanda?

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

6. How does Plucky infiltrate the Society of the Felicitator?

7. What are some of the potential obstacles to Amanda and John Paul's relationship and how do they work around them?

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

9. How does the narrator equate butterflies to John Paul and Amanda?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the characterization of Marx Marvelous in the following format:

Part 1) Scientist.

Part 2) Failed Agnostic.

Part 3) Attraction to Amanda's sexuality and mothering ways.

Part 4) Suicide attempt.

Part 5) His opinions on the fate of the Corpse.

Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay focusing on the characterization of Plucky Purcell. Detail how his family life, collegiate exploits, and various careers in life showcase a conflicted, possibly hypocritical character whose anarchist tendencies led him to making a discovery about the Catholic Church that could topple over the world. Make sure to also analyze the note found on his body after helping to launch the experimental balloon. Develop a clear thesis statement and cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,355 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample