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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 do the Chinese call it when they do nothing else?

2. What do Princess and Ray do after they have sex?

3. Ray finally realizes you can't _________ a mountain.

4. When Ray and the truck driver get to the first city destination, where does the truck driver then offer to take Ray?

5. From what state does Warren originate?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Princess as she is seen by Ray Smith when he arrives at Ray and Alvah's house.

2. How do Japhy and Ray find Morley again?

3. What do the bums of San Francisco tell Ray there is great money to be made in doing?

4. Describe the way Japhy decides to descend the mountain.

5. What are some of the ways Japhy shows he is generous?

6. What happens later in the night which upsets Alvah, and rightfully so?

7. Describe the character of Henry Morley.

8. What is Cody concerned about when Ray arrives to say his goodbyes?

9. Describe the character of Japhy Ryder.

10. List the four men who sit together at Japhy's small home, drinking wine together and discussing poetry.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the basic tenets of Buddhism is the practice of compassion for others. In giving of one's self, one can attain true enlightenment and peace.

Part 1: How do the characters in the story define the idea of compassion?

Part 2: Describe at least two instances in which one character is compassionate to another character.

Part 3: Do the characters in the story seem to be able to be compassionate to each other? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The idea of 'yabyum' is one that is not only mysterious in the beginning of the story, but also even more mysterious as it is 'revealed' to Ray.

Part 1: How is the idea of yabyum defined by Japhy?

Part 2: How is Ray introduced to the idea of yabyum?

Part 3: Does yabyum seem to be truly experienced by these men? Or is it just an excuse to have sex as often as possible? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The characters of Ray and Japhys could not be more alike or more different from each others, creating an interesting interplay in the story itself.

Part 1: Describe the character of Ray as he is portrayed in the story.

Part 2: Describe the character of Japhys as he is portrayed in the story.

Part 3: Which character seems to have nobler intentions, as Buddhism warrants? Why did you choose the character you did?

(see the answer keys)

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