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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. Where does Didion use her charge card in order to eat?

2. Didion states that the Donner party reverted to _______________________.

3. Who tends to live in Newport Beach?

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

5. Who remained with the young's man's body?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Didion think of Newport Beach?

4. Describe Alcatraz Island as depicted in this essay.

5. Describe Didion's upbringing in Sacramento.

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

7. Describe the accident in the mountains.

8. In what way does Newport Beach disappoint Didion?

9. How does Didion feel when visiting Pearl Harbor?

10. Why is Hawaii important to Didion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using only the essays in Slouching Towards Bethlehem, write Joan Didion's biography.

Essay Topic 2

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.

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)

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