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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 did Didion use to chase through the fields?

2. What happens to people's temperaments just before the wind is about to blow?

3. What did the monster do in the movie?

4. When do Didion and her husband decide to go home?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Alcatraz Island as depicted in this essay.

2. Describe the history of Sacramento.

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

4. Describe the accident in the mountains.

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

6. What does Didion think of Newport Beach?

7. Summarize the book.

8. Describe Didion's time in Guaymas.

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

10. What does Didion think of the old Hollywood?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a 500-word essay addressing the following statement: None of Didion's peers challenge her beliefs and, because of that, her essays do not express any new ideas.

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

This section contains 737 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample