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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 is the name of Thea's older husband?

2. How does Thea respond to Augie's marriage proposal?

3. How does Augie feel when Bateshaw binds him to the life boat, preventing him for contacting a passing ship?

4. How long did Clem urge Augie to wait before proposing to Stella?

5. Which of the following women is the first woman Augie claims to have known who does not play mind games?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Paslavitch?

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

3. Why is Oliver evicted from the hotel where he is staying in Mexico City?

4. How does Augie react when he sees Caligula for the first time?

5. How has Simon's appearance changed during the time that Augie was living in Mexico City?

6. How does Augie react when he sees Thea for the first time since their resort stay in Michigan?

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

8. Why do Augie and Thea break up?

9. Who is Sophie Geratis?

10. What makes Augie squeamish about training Caligula?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout his life, Augie considered Jimmy to be one of his best friends. First, describe the relationship between Jimmy and Augie when they were both young boys. Why do you think these two boys bonded so quickly? What type of trouble did the pair get into together? What punishments did each of the boys' receive? Then, describe how Jimmy came back into Augie's life when they were adults. How did Jimmy save Augie from a potentially sticky criminal situation? How did Augie pay Jimmy back for his friendship? How do you think Augie and Jimmy embody the ideal of "best friends forever"? 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

When Augie was a young boy, he fell in love with a girl named Hilda, and through his adulthood, arguably, worked to remove Hilda from his heart forever. First, describe Augie's first experiences with love in his relationship with Hilda. What was the reaction from Augie's family and friends to his relationship with Hilda? Describe the general flow of Augie's love life after his relationship with Hilda ended. How did Augie actively work to remove the love for Hilda from his heart? Was he successful? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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