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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. 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?

2. Who calls Hank right after the head of campus security calls?

3. How does Hank describe a professor's inability to lecture?

4. After he almost runs her down, what is his mother's reaction to what he has to say about Mr. Purty?

5. After seeing Mr. Purty and his truck, Hank returns to campus. He runs into Meg Quigley. What does she tell him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Lily doing now? What project had Jacob Rose submitted that Lily and Hank got a grant for?

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

3. What is the result of Hank's visit to his doctor's office? What does the doctor, Phil Watson, tell him?

4. On Monday morning, Hank gets a call from Lou Steinmetz. What is Lou's job and what does he ask Hank about? Who calls Hank right after Lou? What does he tell Hank?

5. When Hank finally goes to see his father in his new house in Railton, what is Hank's reaction? How does he react to what his father says about the writer Charles Dickens?

6. Where do the professors gather for a party for Tony? Why are they having a party for him?

7. What has happened to Hank's father and mother, according to the Epilogue?

8. Hank heads to campus after Lou and Teddy's calls, and on his way passes his daughter Julie's house. He starts to think about his wife's call. What did she tell him about her father? How does Hank feel about his father-in-law?

9. After Hank leaves his doctor's office, what are the series of events that ensue that involve his mother?

10. What deal did Hank's father accept after the "dog incident" that Hank related in his first article? According to his son, what made this a very attractive offer for William Henry Devereaux, Sr.?

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

How are Hank's father and mother characterized in the Prologue? As the novel progresses, how does their relationship with Hank follow the same patterns as it did when he was a child?

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.

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