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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 has the drummer of Paradise City done recently that mystifies his bandmates?

2. What is a Laker person's preferred socially-irresponsible rapper?

3. What term does Klosterman use for the female John Cusack ideal?

4. Which major cultural figure does Klosterman say made it easier for men like him to get women?

5. Which of the following is not an Electronic Arts game mentioned in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Puck and Pedro transcend The Real World frame?

2. Why is Sim Chuck rejected in love?

3. Why do so many children play soccer, according to Klosterman?

4. Why do women have an illogical opinion of John Cusack, according to Chuck Klosterman?

5. What is the essential difference between a Laker philosophy and a Celtic philosophy?

6. How was the first season of The Real World different from subsequent seasons?

7. In Chapter 4, how does Klosterman explain Bruce Springsteen's appeal?

8. According to Klosterman, how did The Real World create modern youth culture?

9. How are Marilyn Monroe and Pamela Anderson similar?

10. Why are amateur porn sites so popular on the internet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In one of the essays of Sex Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, Klosterman uses certain pup cultural conflicts to illustrate race conflict in America. In an essay, discuss Klosterman's notions about race in this country. What did The Real World illustrate about this conflict? What about the Laker/Celtic rivalry of the 1980s and 1990s? Does Klosterman seem to think race is a serious problem in this country? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Klosterman is repeatedly drawing a line in his argument between what he personally likes and what he defends. Often he will dedicate an entire chapter to a person or movement that he dislikes but believes has merit. Write an essay about three instances and the line that Klosterman draws:

Part 1) What is the cultural importance of internet pornography in the modern age? How does Klosterman connect porn to the highest aspirations of the internet age? Does Klosterman indicate that he particularly likes internet porn? Why is he compelled by it?

Part 2) In Toby Over Moby, what type of country music does Klosterman decry and what type does he staunchly defend? Does this defense coincide with his personal tastes? What is the purpose of this defense then?

Part 3) In Rock Chump, what does Klosterman personally feel about the in-depth analysis and debate about pop music that he experiences? Discuss the tone he takes in discussing this conference. What value does it have? What connection does it have the popular music industry?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring the differences Klosterman delineates between soccer people and baseball people. What does each sport emphasize and value? Why is the author certain that soccer will never make inroads as a popular sport in America? How does his attitude toward sports cause him to be embattled as a little league coach?

(see the answer keys)

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