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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. Hank meets a young woman on his way home from his racquetball partner's place. What does she say to him that Hank agrees with?

2. Where does Hank go when he leaves the college after dealing with the people in his office?

3. Leo overhears Hank talking to the goose near the new center. Who is Leo?

4. How does Hank feel about Bodie Pie?

5. What does Hank see, that he had bought when he was a boy, in his mother's basement when he is getting her suitcase for her?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Bodie Pie? What is the result of Hank's meeting with her?

2. Who is driving Hank home and what do they pass on their way? Where does Hank live?

3. When Hank gets back to his office, after meeting with Bodie, what does he tell his secretary? What does Rachel tell him and what does Hank do about this?

4. Where is the second place Hank goes to the night of his television report? What happens there? What does Hank end up doing?

5. When Hank gets home from his visit to Julie, he has a conversation with Billy Quigley. What are Billy's characteristics and what is the conversation about?

6. When he was eight, Hank's father did get a dog for him. What was the dog like, where did Mr. Devereaux get it, and what was Hank's reaction? Why did he react that way?

7. After visiting the duck pond, Hank heads to the cafeteria. Who does he meet there? What is Hank's history with this person? What do they talk about?

8. The morning after Hank is hit in the nose at a staff meeting, he walks across campus and notices a construction site. What will this site be and what does Hank think about it?

9. Who does Hank meet after he leaves his friend's house? What is his reaction to this?

10. The morning after his news debut, Hank realizes the film has been shown on Good Morning, America, much to everyone's amusement. Hank heads to see Campbell Wheemer. What is Hank's nickname for Wheemer? Why does he call him that? How is Wheemer a contrast to Hank?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define what is meant by "style" in writing. Discuss what kind of style is used traditional nonfiction, novels, and creative nonfiction. Which style was used in the writing of "Straight Man"? Support your answer with four examples.

Essay Topic 2

How does the narrative of the Prologue in Book One explain Hank's relationship with his parents? Cite three examples from the Prologue that tells the reader something about the dynamics of the Devereaux family.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Hank as the protagonist in Straight Man. What is the definition of protagonist? Discuss both Hank's positive and negative characteristics, and give three examples of each to show how they influence the actions he takes and the decisions he makes.

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