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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 9, why does the author single out the year 1985?

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

3. In Chapter 9, what does the author say about the genre of this novel?

4. What is revealed to be a joke in Chapter 14?

5. Who is meant to review the interviews in Chapter 14?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does the author talk about the dullness of the IRS in Chapter 9?

5. Why does Wallace have to watch the interviews in Chapter 14?

6. How do the characters in Chapter 18 react to Desk Names?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the role of women in this novel. While most of the IRS employees are men, there are a few women characters who play major roles in the novel. How do women influence the development of the major themes? How do the women interact with the IRS? What influence does this have? In what ways do women exist outside of, and independent of, the IRS?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

How do characters remain the same as they age? How do they change? Compare and contrast the characters who change vs. those who remain the same. What message does this deliver about childhood and the transition into adulthood?

(see the answer keys)

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