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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. For what organization did Carlton used to work?

2. Who interviews Nick at the end of Chapter 12?

3. To whom is Bliss sending the video he made in Chapter 2?

4. What is found in the mad shooter's car in at the end of Chapter 2?

5. How many nicotine patches are put on Nick's body in Chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the reader learn about Gazelle in Chapter 7?

2. How does Heather portray Nick in her article?

3. How does Nick Naylor defend his position at Clean Lungs 2000?

4. Why did Polly Baily join the Moderation Council?

5. Describe Budd Rohrabacher.

6. Describe the transfixed moment Naylor experiences at the end of Chapter 3.

7. What bad news does BR give Naylor at the end of Chapter 4?

8. Why does Nick survive the attempt on his life by the nico-terrorists?

9. What is the MOD Squad?

10. What is the purpose of Nick Naylor's meeting with Reverend Griggs in Chapter 10?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the Academy of Tobacco Studies. Begin by analyzing its name, how it is itself an act of brazen deception. Who founds the Academy, and what historical event in the late 1950's precipitates its founding? At the beginning of the novel, what is the public perception of the Academy and Nick as a representative of it? In summation, discuss how the Academy serves as a symbol for all lobbyists in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

The narrative of Thank You for Smoking is peppered with interactions between Nick Naylor and individuals that he wants to encourage to join the push in improving tobacco's image. Write an essay about these interchanges. What does each person have to offer big tobacco? How does Naylor go about convincing individual in question that teaming up with the Academy is a good idea? What compromised ethics are required in this deal?

Part 1) Penelope Dent

Part 2) Jeff Megall

Part 3) Lorne Lutch

Essay Topic 3

Self-interest is the primary motivation of most of the character in Buckley's novel. Write an essay on the role of self-interest in the narrative, focusing on three parts:

Part 1) Twice over the course of the novel, Nick Naylor sleeps with a woman, believing that she is genuinely interested in him, only to find out that she is after personal gain. Discuss these two instances and the self-interest that drives both women? How is Nick instrumental to their separate goals?

Part 2) Nick does not trust BR at the beginning of the novel, but as strange events accumulate and Nick's live is endangered, he grows to rely on BR. How is this a terrible mistake for Nick? What ulterior motive does BR have in ingratiating himself to Nick? What does he hide from Nick in pursuit of this goal?

Part 3) Choose a tertiary character that is supposed to be held to a higher standard than the lobbyists of the Academy such as Lorne Lutch and Reverend Griggs. How is this character clearly corrupted in the novel and away from more altruistic pursuits? What is the nature of this character's self-interested corruption? What leads him to it?

(see the answer keys)

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