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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 surgeons refuse to operate during this time?

2. Who tends to live in Newport Beach?

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

4. What does Didion think about as she explores the island?

5. Why is Didion depressed in this essay?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Didion decide to move to Los Angeles?

2. Describe Didion's upbringing in Sacramento.

3. Why is Hawaii important to Didion?

4. Describe the movie on which Didion bases this essay.

5. What are Didion's thoughts about the island?

6. Why is Didion finding Los Angeles depressing in this essay?

7. Summarize the book.

8. What does Didion think of the old Hollywood?

9. Describe the history of Sacramento.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What influence did the hippie movement have on the following areas:

1) Politics

2) Literature and art

3) Family

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the essays in the book and answer the following questions:

1) What is the main argument of the essay?

2) How does Didion construct the argument?

3) Are there any weaknesses in her argument?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 652 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample