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. What did Cork suffer from on the night of October 7, 1964?

2. What does Didion want to find in San Francisco?

3. What were the people invited to the center given?

4. Who is this essay about?

5. Who of the following did not star in The Sons of Katie Elder?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the Center of Study of Democratic Institutions?

2. What does Didion think of Baez when she interviews her?

3. Why did the two runaways leave home?

4. Why does Didion think it is important to work at self-respect?

5. Describe Lucille Miller's life at the beginning of Part 1.

6. What does Lucille tell the police happened on October 7, 1964?

7. What inconsistencies did the police find with Lucille's story?

8. How has Las Vegas turned marriage into a big business?

9. Into what does Michael give Didion an insight?

10. Why did Didion find the essay on the Center of Study of Democratic Institutions so difficult?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the books chronological setting.

1) What were the main concerns during the 1960s? How does Didion express these concerns?

2) In what ways do you think the essays' meanings would change if they were set in today's society?

Essay Topic 2

What political viewpoint does Joan Didion come from and how does she express this viewpoint in her essays?

Essay Topic 3

Write a 500-word essay addressing the following statement: Much of Didion's criticisms in the novel are based on nostalgic and personal feelings and she rarely looks at things from the point view of the new generation. Defend or attack that statement, and be sure to use evidence from the book to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 693 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample