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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 part of the corporate bathroom does Howie avoid?

2. At the beginning of Chapter 12, Howie says he is standing in a _______ pose on the escalator.

3. Howie compares the grooves on the escalator steps to those one __________.

4. Who gets the get-well poster for Ray at work?

5. What word is Howie staring at as he stands at the urinal?

Short Essay Questions

1. What attracted Howie to the Aurelius book?

2. What realization about his broken shoelace does Howie come to while washing his face in the men's bathroom?

3. What does Howie note about eating and drinking at the same time?

4. Who does Howie see in the bathroom engaging in what he considers to be poor bathroom etiquette?

5. Howie does Howie think his corporation flaunts their status?

6. What does Howie consider to be the dishonesty of the World Dryer Corporation?

7. How can Howie reach a majority of adult thoughts?

8. Why does Howie need to purchase earplugs every week?

9. Why does Howie eventually stop trying to walk up or down the escalator?

10. What causes Howie to consider the intentions of the inventors of the escalator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the climax of the book in Chapter 14? How does this tiny moment define the entire novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the paradox of Howie the man-child and the greater truth that existed within that ambiguity.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss both the narrative tone and structure of this story and their impact on the reader's experience.

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