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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. How does Klosterman view the attitudes of agnostics toward born-agains?

2. Which character did not disappear abruptly at some point in the final season of Saved by the Bell?

3. As a child, Dahmer would pretend he had what affliction?

4. What sport does Walter Valentine try to get Julia to coach in Downtown Owl?

5. In Chapter 13, Klosterman questions the logic of the protagonists' choices in The Matrix and Vanilla Sky because why?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the essence of coolness, as described in Chapter 10?

2. What disagreement does Chuck Klosterman with critics regarding Vanilla Sky?

3. What is Klosterman's fascination with serial killers?

4. What do the 23 questions of this section deal with?

5. What is the book Left Behind about?

6. Why is Laura dispirited by her interview with Walter Valentine?

7. What essential beliefs does Generation X have, according to Chuck Klosterman?

8. How has the portrayal of reality in films changed between the golden age of the 1970s and today, according to Klosterman?

9. Why is being a serial killer more authentic than being a regular celebrity?

10. What example does Klosterman offer in Eating the Dinosaur to illustrate the loss of origins in time travel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chuck Klosterman's essays fall into the category of literary nonfiction, or new journalism. Most famously practiced by such writers as Norman Mailer, Joan Didion, and Truman Capote, this practice involves the journalist placing him or herself at the center of the story. Write an essay about three essays in which Klosterman plays a pivotal role in the reading of events. How is he an active player here? How does his presence affect the story? What does this alter about what else would have been a straightforward relating of events?

Essay Topic 2

Choose three of the movies that Chuck Klosterman discusses in Chapter 13. In an essay discuss what all of these films have in common thematically. Why does Klosterman think that these are among the most effective films of the modern age? How do these films, as Klosterman argues, create the reality that others experience? How do their presentations of reality differ the presentations from film of the 1970's?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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