View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 9, what does the author say is the IRS' biggest strength?

2. In Chapter 9, what does the author say about financial gain relating to this novel?

3. In Chapter 7, who gets on a the minibus?

4. How does Claude's ranking compare with Reynold's ranking in Chapter 2?

5. How old is the character who sweats in Chapter 13?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Claude's psychic ability described in Chapter 15?

2. How does Stecyk change from Chapter 12 to Chapter 14?

3. How could the interview in Chapter 21 be described?

4. How do the girl and her mother get away in Chapter 8?

5. In Chapter 10, how does the author explain the existence of the bureaucratic systems he describes?

6. In Chapter 5, how is the boy described?

7. In Chapter 16, what does Lane Dean Jr.'s character reveal about the work of the IRS?

8. What makes Chapter 20 confusing in the construction of this novel?

9. What point does the author make about the "information society" in Chapter 9?

10. In Chapter 13, why does the main character pay attention to the way he sits?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Knowing that "The Pale King" is unfinished, how does this influence the novel? What impact does this have on the development of the plot and the characters? How does the inclusion of author notes influence these things?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the purpose and role of supernatural powers in this novel. How are psychic abilities used in the novel? How are phantoms used?

Essay Topic 3

Consider the use of nick names and code words in the IRS. What do these terms suggest about the agency? What do they reveal about the IRS employees? How do they influence the setting of the IRS REC?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 794 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample