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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 did Miss Nell do for herself each morning when she woke?

2. Why did this person survive?

3. What does Goolrick note men and women had in his childhood?

4. What does Goolrick suffer from?

5. What did Goolrick's godfather's wife bring to the family following Father's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how the patients beat the addicts in volleyball.

2. Describe the environment Goolrick experienced as a child.

3. Describe Goolrick's relationship with his male lover.

4. Explain why Goolrick's sister-in-law claims to hate him.

5. Describe the circumstances that led to brother's CAT scan which revealed the aneurysm.

6. Describe details about the mental hospital.

7. Explain how Mother died and Goolrick's actions at the time of her death.

8. Describe how Goolrick's friend attempted suicide.

9. Explain the young man who joins the ward while Goolrick is there.

10. Explain the situation that led to Goolrick's cutting behaviors.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Goolrick's mother, according to Goolrick in "The End of the World as We Know It," seemed to blame him for the molestation, as though he had done something to deserve it, or had somehow asked for it. Do you think this is merely how Goolrick felt, or do you think she actually felt this way? Why? How did she show her feelings for Goolrick, according to his statements in the rest of the novel? Was she kind, horrific, or both, and why? Be sure to use examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Goolrick's experiences with female lovers to his experiences with male lovers. Be sure to include not only the primary lovers, but also those obscure lovers Goolrick mentions throughout the novel, such as the girl next door and the boy who practiced sex on him. How did he feel about his male lovers? His female lovers? What do you think caused these differences? Do you think Goolrick is homosexual, bisexual, or merely a sexual deviant as a result of his experiences?

Essay Topic 3

When Goolrick's father dies, Goolrick admits he had planned on feeling relief, but instead felt grief. Why do you think Goolrick felt anything, considering what his father did to him? What do you think Goolrick was likely truly grieving for? Based on the final chapter of the novel, how did Goolrick feel about his father? Was he a monster? Why or why not? Did Goolrick hate him, or feel sorry for him? Why? How do you think you would have felt in his situation?

(see the answer keys)

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