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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. What was the whole area when Didion grew up there?

2. Why is Didion unable to record people's reactions?

3. Where did Didion grow up?

4. What do Didion and her husband drive through to get there?

5. Why are no more repairs being done at the prison?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does Newport Beach disappoint Didion?

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

3. What problems does Didion face when she and her husband visit her family?

4. Summarize the book.

5. Describe the history of Sacramento.

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

7. Describe the accident in the mountains.

8. How do the Los Angeles citizens know when the Santa Ana winds are about to blow?

9. Describe Alcatraz Island as depicted in this essay.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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