View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does William's train companion relate making the acquaintance of his valet?

2. What unfortunately happens to William's first passport?

3. How many lords are on staff at the Megalopolitan office?

4. For how long has Mrs. Stitch been stranded in her car when William arrives?

5. What does the Swiss waiter attempt to persuade William's companion in the train to purchase?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Nannie Boggs misunderstand Mr. Salter's visit to Boot Magna Hall?

2. What is the chief concern of Lord Copper and Mr. Salter as William makes his way back to London, and how do they plan to deal with this concern?

3. What seemingly important piece of information does William uncover by talking with Jack Bannister, and why can he not make a story of it?

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

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

6. In what way does Kätchen abuse William's attraction to her?

7. How do the journalists generally treat one another?

8. How do the journalists in Jacksonburg make up for the lack of news when they first arrive in Ishmaelia?

9. What is revealed about the priorities of the <i>Daily Beast</i> by the man asking for William's passport as he is about to depart?

10. How does Erik Olafsen change the more alcohol he drinks, and why is this significant?

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

An element of satire that is particularly prevalent in Evelyn Waugh's Scoop is irony. Compose an essay which demonstrates the prevalent usage of irony in the novel by discussing these points:

1) What is irony?

2) How can irony be comic?

3) What are examples of comic irony in Scoop?

Essay Topic 3

In addition to poking fun at the lifestyles of Britain's rich and famous, Evelyn Waugh's Scoop places an ironic twist on literary romance. Usually the protagonist wins the beautiful damsel, sweeping her away from the insensitive brute. In Scoop, the damsel goes off with the brute after using the resources of the protagonist for personal gain. Write an analysis of the "love story" within Scoop. In what ways does it ironically parallel the traditional romantic story of literature? What is the significance of the corrupted love story to the whole of the plot? How does it affect William?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 930 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample