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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 does Tony make Snapper and Edie explain to him once he brings them in the house?

2. How does Bonnie view the kidnapper?

3. How does Edie's scam get noticed by the insurance man?

4. What does Skink make Max do to support the products he advertises?

5. What happens to the rope on the bridge at the end of Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Bonnie's responses to Augustine show that she has feelings for her husband and an understanding of who he is?

2. How is the author being satirical in the characterization of Tony Torres?

3. What kind of a character is Augustine? Please support your answer with evidence from the book.

4. How does Edie and Snapper's plan surprise the reader now that it is revealed in their conversation with Tony in Chapter 4?

5. What does Jim Tile reveal that adds to the dimension of Skink's character?

6. Though shown as a kidnapper and torturer, Skink appears to be an ethical man. How so?

7. How do the characters introduced in Chapter 1 differ from each other?

8. What misconceptions is Max beginning to believe about Skink in Chapter 6?

9. In what way have common household items become weapons of violence?

10. The plot thickens as the reader discovers the depth that Edie and Snapper will go to in order to make money. What is their plan and how do they execute it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the political system mocked in the novel? Use specific examples to show the author's intent.

Essay Topic 2

How is Avila's need to hold sacrificial ceremonies black humor? Note specific places in the novel that show this humor. What is the author trying to tell the reader through these rituals?

Essay Topic 3

Is there a hero in the novel? An anti-hero? If there is a hero who is it and why? If not, how does the lack of a hero affect the novel? Does there need to be a hero in this novel? If there is an anti-hero -- who is it and why?

(see the answer keys)

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