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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. What does Augie name the bird he and Thea purchase together?

2. When Sophie stops dating Augie, how many weeks does she have before her wedding to another man?

3. What nickname does Moulton give Augie?

4. How does Stella feel about honesty?

5. Where do Augie and Stella move after he returns home from the Merchant Marines?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Augie write in the letters he sends to Stella from aboard the MacManus?

2. How does Bateshaw prevent Augie from flagging down a passing ship after their Marine boat sinks?

3. How does Augie respond to the news that Thea's divorce is final?

4. How does Caligula perform during his first hunting expedition?

5. Who is Talavera?

6. How does Augie react when he is reunited with Stella, the model?

7. What lessons does Augie learn from the rich lawyer, Harold Mintouchian?

8. Who is Paslavitch?

9. What makes Augie squeamish about training Caligula?

10. What bombshell does Frazer drop on Augie about his wife and marriage when Augie runs into him at a cafe in Paris?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Augie's relationship with his brother Georgie was difficult one due to Georgie's mental disabilities. First, describe Georgie's character. Why was he put away in a mental institution when he hit puberty? How did life in the mental institution affect Georgie's character? Then, describe Augie's relationship with his brother Georgie throughout his life. What was their relationship like as young boys? How did that relationship change when both boys reached maturity? How did his relationship with Georgie affect Augie's life decisions? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

This novel covers a great span of historical time, including the labor movements of the 1930's. First, describe the complaint laborers had in the 1930's. How was their situation fueled by the stock market crash of the 1920's? Describe at least three of the political parties that were formed as a result of the labor movement. What was each of their stances on the rights of workers in the 1930's? Discuss Augie's involvement with the labor movement. How did Augie's involvement affect his life personally during the 1930's? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

The most constant force in Augie's life, from childhood to adulthood, was his relationship with the eccentric tycoon, William. Describe how Augie and William first met. Then, describe how that relationship changed as Augie reached adulthood. Choose two moments that you believe were turning points in the relationship between William and Augie and describe them. How did these moments lead to the state of the relationship between Augie and William when the novel came to a close?

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This section contains 1,180 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample