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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. Who wrote the 1979 op-ed called "In Defense of Sentimentality"?

2. Who sings the song "Sentimental Movie" that is described in "In Defense of Saccharin(e)"?

3. Who is described as Cat's boyfriend in "Fog Count"?

4. When is the traditional festival of Alasitas celebrated in La Paz?

5. Where did Charlie hit bottom, getting shots at by angry dealers, according to the narrative in "Fog Count"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened during Andrew Thompson's run at the Barkley Marathons in 2004?

2. Who originated the Barkley Marathons? How is this individual described?

3. Who wrote Almost Home? How is it described in the book?

4. What are some of the examples of wounded women described by the author in "Grand Unified Theory of Female Pain"?

5. Who were the West Memphis Three, and what were they charged with?

6. What were the supplies that Julian took on the race in "The Immortal Horizon"?

7. Why was the author looking for quarters in her narrative in "Fog Count"?

8. Where was the author visiting Charlie in "Fog Count"? How did she know this person?

9. Who did Carl consider to be the major contenders in the Barkley Marathons in "The Immortal Horizon"? Why?

10. How is Jim described in "In Defense of Saccharine(e)"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss three examples of metaphor in The Empathy Exams. What things/concepts are being compared? How do you relate to the metaphor? What effect does this metaphor have on the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss symbolism as explored in "Pain Tours (II)." What is represented by Frida Kahlo's corsets? What does the Bolivian supermarket symbolize in the second section of the essay, "Servicoi Supercompleto"? What do the writings of James Agee symbolize in the last section of the essay?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the individuals that are characterized in "The Immortal Horizon." How is Laz described? What motivated him to create the Barkley Marathons? How does the author use metaphor and simile in her descriptions of these individuals? How do these literary devices shape your impressions of them?

(see the answer keys)

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