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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 job did Didion's great-great-grandfather do in Hawaii?

2. Why is Didion depressed in this essay?

3. In what type of accommodation do Didion and her husband stay?

4. With whom does Didion celebrate her daughter's birthday?

5. Which of the following does not live on the island?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the theme of this essay?

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

3. Summarize the book.

4. How does Didion feel when visiting Pearl Harbor?

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

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

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

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

9. Describe the history of Sacramento.

10. Describe Didion's time in Guaymas.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the main themes of the book. Why do you think these themes are so important to Didion? How does Didion express the main themes of the book through each essay?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Examine the book as a whole.

1) What is the central argument of the book?

2) How are the essays arranged to construct this argument?

(see the answer keys)

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