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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 title of Nathan's story?

2. How many questions for Nathan are included with the letter?

3. Who is Nathan's father's moral mentor?

4. What game does Sidney teach Nathan and his brother?

5. How many years are there between Lonoff's first book and his sixth book?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Zuckerman contact Lonoff?

2. What is surprising to Zuckerman about the typewriter in Lonoff's study?

3. Describe the Zuckerman family's typical Sunday brunch.

4. How does Zuckerman convince Lonoff to meet with him?

5. Why does Zuckerman begin writing down the names of everything on Lonoff's bookshelves in his study?

6. How does Zuckerman's father think the "Higher Education" story will be perceived if it is published?

7. What does Zuckerman's first reading of Lonoff's work show him about his own life?

8. Describe the girl-woman Zuckerman sees at Lonoff's house in Chapter 1.

9. How does Zuckerman come to Quahsay?

10. What response does Zuckerman get when he mentions Lonoff's name at a publishing party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Philip Roth tends to use some of his characters as alter egos of himself. Explore Roth's use of characters in "The Ghost Writer" as alter egos. Who is Roth's alter ego in the story? Can more than one character serve as an alter ego? How do the characters become alter egos? Use specific examples from the story in the response.

Essay Topic 2

Write a response exploring the meaning of the book's title, "The Ghost Writer." Who is the "ghost writer"? Why is this title appropriate for the book? What does the title tell the reader the book might be about? What does the title mean? Would a different title be more appropriate for the story? Use specific references to the story in the response.

Essay Topic 3

In "The Ghost Writer," Zuckerman worships "high art," while Lonoff tends to dismiss it. Write a response exploring the pros and cons of worshiping this "high art." How do the characters demonstrate these pros and cons? Use specific references to the story in the response.

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This section contains 870 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample