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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. Which member of Didion's family went to Hawaii during the war?

2. Didion's family refers to her husband as __________________.

3. Why do surgeons refuse to operate during this time?

4. What did Didion use to chase through the fields?

5. Of what old adage does the area remind Didion?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the accident in the mountains.

2. What does Didion think of the old Hollywood?

3. Summarize the book.

4. Describe the history of Sacramento.

5. In what way does Newport Beach disappoint Didion?

6. Why does Didion think no one can truly define what is moral?

7. What is the theme of this essay?

8. Describe Alcatraz Island as depicted in this essay.

9. What does Didion think of Newport Beach?

10. How do the scientists think the Santa Ana winds work to cause psychological changes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a critical essay about one of the following statements:

1) John Wayne was a force of nature, a man who could beat cancer and return to his life as if nothing had happened.

2) The free-thinking, 1960s California created an environment where a person like Joan Baez could thrive.

3) Michael Laski is a young man with warped ideals who hides in a group of radicals rather than take a chance to be who he is.

Essay Topic 2

The essays are mostly set in California.

1) What meaning does California bring to the essays?

2) How different do you think today's California is from the California in the novel? How do you think the book's meaning would change if it were set in today's California?

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 792 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample