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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 are Desk Names, as defined in Chapter 18?

2. What does Stecyk deliver in Chapter 12?

3. What is Merrill's middle name?

4. How does Lowtis feel in Chapter 20?

5. Who does Claude Sylvanshine work for?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In Chapter 9, what does the author say about the first few pages of any book?

3. In Chapter 9, what does the author say is wrong with his publisher?

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

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

6. Why does Dean marry Sheri in Chapter 6?

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

8. In Chapter 19, what seems to be the favored solution to what is wrong with America?

9. In the beginning of this novel, how does Claude feel about his job?

10. In Chapter 5, what has happened to the boy's mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the theme of success in this novel. What things make people successful? What things impede success? What is the overall message about success in this novel?

Essay Topic 2

What role do nameless characters play in this novel? Consider how they affect the plot and the other characters in the novel. How do these nameless characters influence the major themes?

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of interview in "The Pale King"? Consider the interviews conducted with tax payers, IRS employees and people wishing to become IRS employees. What message is conveyed about the interviewing process?

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