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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 can Phlox sense about Art when he arrives at her house?

2. What is a looming question in Art's world?

3. Cleveland takes Art to a poor neighborhood along the _______________ River.

4. What does Arthur do while Art speaks to his father on the phone?

5. For whom is Cleveland working?

Short Essay Questions

1. When do Art and Arthur first have sex?

2. What is the symbolism of the cicadas for Art's life?

3. What seems to be the source of Art's greatest emotional pain?

4. How does the author insinuate that Art's mother's death was somehow mob related?

5. Why is Art uncomfortable knowing that the other gangsters know who he is?

6. How does Phlox meet Art's father?

7. Explain how Art's lack of real friendship in his life has driven him to behave the way he does with Cleveland, Phlox and Arthur.

8. How does Art end up alienating both Phlox and Arthur?

9. Who helps Art to free himself of the bonds related to his father?

10. What seems to be Art's routine of how he spends his days and nights this summer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the symbolism of Phlox's role in Art's life. What does it signify? What role does she play for Art in the book? Why did the author choose Phlox as a sort of foil in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the taboo of homosexuality in the 1980s. Compare and contrast homosexuality in America during the 1980s to homosexuality in America today. What major changes have occurred--both positive and negative?

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Phlox. What are her physical characteristics? What motivates her? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Phlox?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,115 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample