View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. Herbert Schonberg is a teaching colleague of Hank's. What other position does he hold?

3. What medium does Campbell Wheemer like to use as a teaching tool?

4. What does Hank grab and hold up, swearing that he will kill a duck every day until the Railton College departments get more funding?

5. What does Campbell Wheemer ask Hank advice about?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

3. After Hank leaves Bodie Pie's office, what does he notice is happening again?

4. 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?

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

6. After having lunch at the bowling alley, Hank goes to see his mother, but first visits with Mr. Purty. Who is Mr. Purty and what does he give Hank?

7. The evening after Teddy drops Hank off at home, what does Hank decide to do? Where does he end up and what is the result of this?

8. After visiting with Mr. Purty and then his mother, Hank plays racquetball with another professor, Tony Coniglia. What happens after their game?

9. What did Hank's mother make Hank promise to do if he got a dog? Why?

10. When Hank finally gets home, what is his daughter doing? What message does he find on his answering machine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hank seems to suppress anger during most the novel, but at times his anger and frustration do surface. Cite three examples of Hank's anger, and what transpires as a result.

Essay Topic 2

Choose two characters in the book that play an important role in Hank's life and discuss their characteristics and the importance of their relationship with Hank. Cite three specific examples for each character from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Cite four examples for both exposition and rising action from the novel. What is the balance of these two elements in Straight Man? Is there too much of one at the expense of the other? If so, describe the balance of the two.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,299 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample