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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 is Peter?

2. What does betagold challenge Larry to do?

3. Who does Josh say his mother belonged to?

4. What is the subject of the epigraph to Part 1?

5. Why did Tashjian agree to take the manuscript?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Tashjian and the boy in contact?

2. What does Beth give Josh on the anniversary of his mother's death?

3. What is the importance of the epigraph for Part 1?

4. Describe Josh's visit to the cemetery with Peter.

5. What book is introduced even before we see the manuscript of 'The Gospel According to Larry'?

6. What is Josh's answer when Tashjian warns him that publishing the book will renew his troubles?

7. What items does Josh post photos of on Larry's website?

8. What is Beth asking Josh to do when the novel opens?

9. What is Josh's catch-22?

10. Where does Josh go for a 'whole new level of solitude' when he wants to think?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sketch an outline for a sequel to 'The Gospel According to Larry'. Would Josh keep writing? What would he do after the book was published? Would anything draw him out of hiding?

Essay Topic 2

Write a character sketch of the author based on her style and content. What values does she hold dear? What are her hopes and fears? What kind of person do you think she is? Anchor your sketch in passages in the book.

Essay Topic 3

Write about your own reading of 'The Gospel According to Larry'--did you resist it, or were you compelled by the story? What does your reading tell you about yourself and your interests? Use specific examples from the book to describe yourself as a reader.

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