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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. Why do the Germans take pictures of Roland and Billy?

2. What does the hobo in Billy's railroad boxcar tell him?

3. What author does Eliot Rosewater tell Billy about?

4. Where is Billy when he wakes up from his dream?

5. What does Barbara think is wrong with Billy when she finds him in his cold house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is unusual about the way Tralfamadorans view time?

2. Why were the British officers in this particular camp?

3. How did Billy finally get some sleep?

4. How do the Tralfamadorans answer Billy's question about being kidnapped?

5. When does Billy Pilgrim first experience being unstuck in time?

6. Why is Billy afraid to drop down from the railroad car?

7. Why is it unusual for Kurt Vonnegut to appear in this book as a character?

8. Name some of the places in time that Billy travels to in this chapter.

9. Why did Roland Weary start to beat and kick Billy?

10. Where were the American prisoners of war kept as they were captured?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Vonnegut makes frequent allusions to religious or biblical references in Slaughterhouse-Five. Write an essay that highlights his use of religious and spiritual concepts.

Essay Topic 2

What would you say was Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s purpose in writing this novel? What is the main message of the story? Support your conclusion with quotes or examples from the novel, or interviews with the author.

Essay Topic 3

Write a personal essay, explaining your view of death and/or the afterlife. Describe the basis of your views. Did they come from your family, your religion, popular culture, or from a specific source?

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