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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. In Note of a Potential Suicide, what event does Bukowksi remember attending as a boy?

2. What is Bukowski sick with in A Popular Man?

3. In Notes of a Potential Suicide, what does Bukowski fail at?

4. In A Bad Trip, what does Bukowski talk about in conjunction with acid?

5. In Notes on the Pest, what does a pest talk to Bukowski about at the diner?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bukowski think of sex in Purple as an Iris?

2. What does Bukowski think of people's taste in music?

3. Why does Bukowski usually avoid talking about literature, and what reminds him of of this in Beer and Poets and Talk?

4. Why is the idea that every man can be a pest scary in Notes on the Pest?

5. What happens when Bukowski is discovered with Mary in Purple as an Iris?

6. How do the boys disrespect the memories of the hepcats in The Big Pot Game?

7. What does Bukowski think of citizens today in A Bad Trip?

8. Why does Bukowski welcome death in A Popular Man?

9. What does Carol do for Gordon to help him in Animal Crackers in My Soup?

10. How does Bukowski feel next to Jim in I Shot a Man in Reno?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many stories in "Tales of Ordinary Madness" involve a serious addiction to gambling. Using at least two stories as examples, describe how gambling play a role in the main characters' lives. Describe the cycle of addiction. How does gambling affect the characters' lives? Make sure you answer each question with evidence and support from the stories.

Essay Topic 2

Many different ideas and themes are connected in Tales of Ordinary Madness, but "Notes of a Potential Suicide" reveals connections that are more obvious. What connections are revealed in the story? How is the symphony connected to the Air Show event? What makes them memorable or important for Bukowski? Make sure you answer each question with evidence and support from the story.

Essay Topic 3

In Tales or Ordinary Madness, "A .45 to Pay the Rent" and "Doing Time with Public Enemy No. 1" are two different stories about men in some kind of prison. How is Bukowski different from Duke, personality-wise? How do they deal with their different trials in life, and who do you think handles their "imprisonment" better? Make sure you answer each question with evidence and support from the stories.

(see the answer keys)

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