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. Why is the meeting that Hank can tell from the lights important to him?

2. Hank realizes his son-in-law is having an affair. With whom?

3. Hank mentions in his article that his father had written about a television program for his book on pop culture. What television program did he write about?

4. In the Epilogue, which of the following is not something Hank says he is thankful for?

5. After botching the first lecture, Hank's father was confident he could return to the classroom and lecture again. What was the name of the student that was last on the roll?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to Devereaux Sr. not long after arriving at his new post?

2. Why was Hank's father offered such a desirable position?

3. What happens after Tony and Hank leave the restaurant? Where do they both end up?

4. In the Epilogue, what does Hank tell the readers he is now doing?

5. The morning after Hank and Tony end up in the same place, what does Hank find when he heads home? What does he do instead? What does he find out?

6. How does Hank sneak out of the building after his time in the ceiling? Who does he meet and what ensues?

7. Where does Hank go after he visits Paul Bourke's place? What happens there that upsets Hank?

8. Russell goes along to the party for Tony, and tries to get Tony's computer to work, without success. While this is going on, a large group of the professors get stuck in the room, and cannot seem to be able to figure out how to get out. What is Hank's observation on this?

9. Hank goes back to his office after seeing his mother on the street. What happens to him there and what does he immediately do?

10. What happens while Hank is up in the office building ceiling?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The setting refers to the time and the place where a story takes place. Compare and contrast the settings of "Straight Man" regarding time. How does it compare to the childhood he describes in the Epilogue to Book One? Cite at least three examples from the book where Russo discusses how the setting, in reference to time, has changed.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,291 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample