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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. At what time of the evening does Mrs. Stitch invariably go home, according to John Boot?

2. Why is William perplexed by the telegram he receives from <i>The Daily Beast</i> while at Aden?

3. What phrase does Corker tell William to cable back to London regarding Aden's military preparedness?

4. What bizarre claim does the pseudo-consul of the second Ishmaelite Legation make?

5. With whom does William meet at the first Ishmaelite Legation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What primarily disgusts William about the <i>Daily Beast</i> on his return to civilized parts of the world?

2. How do the guests of Lord Copper's banquet amuse themselves while Lord Copper delivers his 38-minute speech?

3. With what common and well-practiced activity is William content to live out his life?

4. What important piece of news does Kätchen bring to William after the former spends a morning shopping?

5. How does Mrs. Stitch react to John Boot's perplexed inquiries regarding his invitation to knighthood?

6. What should stick out to the woefully unjournalistic mind of William when his fellow passenger also leaves the train in Marseilles?

7. What is the primary point of the thesis of Smiles Soum's manifesto?

8. How - and why - is Corker dressed upon his arrival in the dining room of the <i>Francmacon</i>?

9. Describe the activity in Mrs. Stitch's bedroom when John Boot comes to visit her in her home.

10. What does the Boot family think about Mr. Salter when he arrives at Boot Magna Hall?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As both a member of the aristocracy and the proprietor of The Daily Beast, Lord Copper is the link between the two primary targets of satire in Waugh's Scoop. Compose a thoroughly developed analytical essay on the character of Lord Copper. With what sort of people does he associate? What are his motivations in his actions? Is he a man of deep thought or mere self-importance? In what ways is his portrayal in Scoop satirical? What does this portrayal imply about the aristocracy? What does it imply about the newspaper industry?

Essay Topic 2

As the protagonist of the story, William is the principle character around whom all of the novel's action revolves. Through action, the character of William is revealed. Analyze this revelation, explicating both the ways in which William changes from the beginning to the end of the story and the ways he remains the same. Describe his fundamental character traits and evaluate the presentation given of him in Scoop. What sort of character is he? Is the reader persuaded to view him sympathetically or not?

Essay Topic 3

If there is any one character who is a victim in the story, it is Mr. Salter. He does not understand anything that is going on around him, is ordered around by his superiors, and denigrated by his subordinates. Compose an analytical essay on the character, actions, and fate of Mr. Salter. What sort of person is he? How does he comport himself in various situations? Is his "future" as prescribed in the final lines of the book a fitting one or not? Why or why not?

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