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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. Why did Tashjian agree to take the manuscript?

2. What strategy does Josh propose for helping Third World countries?

3. What does Josh Swensen supplement the manuscript with?

4. When did Josh start to limit his possessions?

5. Who is Katherine?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Josh's catch-22?

3. How does Josh's personal life intrude on Larry's sermons?

4. What does Josh Swensen give Tashjian?

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

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

7. What does Tashjian foreshadow in the beginning of Part 2?

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

9. What does Josh take from Peter, his step-father?

10. What is Josh's relationship with his stepfather like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the importance of family in 'The Gospel According to Larry'? Could Josh have written 'The Gospel According to Larry' if he had a stable, happy family? Was the website and then the book a kind of compensation for his lack of family?

Essay Topic 2

How realistic is this book? What parts are not believable? What leaps of faith does the author require of the reader?

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of the Bible in 'The Gospel According to Larry'? How is Josh's book a Bible, and how is it rebelling against being a Bible?

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