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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. In Chapter 14, why is Spackman mentioned?

2. Why is the taxpayer being interviewed in Chapter 21?

3. In Chapter 9, where does the author say he kept his notes for this novel?

4. In Chapter 8, who does the girl run away with?

5. Why does Lowtis confront his neighbor in Chapter 20?

Short Essay Questions

1. What makes Chapter 4 different from Chapters 1-3?

2. What does Stecyk try to do in Chapter 12?

3. Why does Dean marry Sheri in Chapter 6?

4. What is the purpose of Chapter 11?

5. How is Chapter 9 different from the rest of the chapters in this novel?

6. Why do people dislike the boy in Chapter 5?

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

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

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

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

Analyze the theme of boredom in this novel. How does the author try to influence his readers' opinions about boredom?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the layering of people named David Foster Wallace in this novel. Explore the relationship between the three Davids in the novel: the author, the narrator and the character. What makes these people different? What makes them the same?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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