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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. Fill in the blank: the name "Marx" was chosen by Marx Marvelous because it triggered America's hatred of _______.

2. Aside from his renowned sculptures, for what else did Zimmer have a stellar reputation?

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

4. How did Plucky manage to end his college football career?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the narrative form of "Another Roadside Attraction."

3. Describe Amanda and John Paul's wedding ceremony.

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

5. Why is Marx on the run from the government?

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

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

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

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

10. Describe John Paul Ziller's childhood.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

"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.

Essay Topic 3

What are the possibilities that Marx, Plucky, and Ziller consider for the Corpse and why? What are the pros and cons to every idea? How do their personal viewpoints affect their opinions on the Corpse's fate? What are some of the morally gray areas about which the four of them are forced to debate in this regard? Discuss the answers to these questions in an essay. Cite specific examples from the text to support your answers.

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