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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. Why does David present information about his childhood in Chapter 22?

2. What emotional reaction does the narrator say is not associated with phantoms in Chapter 26?

3. In Chapter 28, what does the narrator assume all IRS agents want?

4. In Chapter 32, what does the IRS examiner ask someone to do over the phone?

5. How does Cusk feel when he returns from his break in Chapter 27?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does David describe the van ride after he is hired by the IRS?

2. What concerns Lane Dean Jr. most about the work he does in Chapter 33?

3. Why does Sylvanshine talk to Reynolds over the phone in Chapter 30?

4. In Chapter 33, how does Lane Dean Jr. perform his work?

5. In Chapter 22, what reason does David give for going to the IRS for a job?

6. In Chapter 27, what reason is given for possibly not conducting an audit?

7. In Chapter 27, what surprises Cusk when he returns from his break?

8. Why is Lehrl's office so important to Reynolds in Chapter 30?

9. What is the relationship between the Peoria REC and Martinsburg?

10. How do the IRS employees entertain themselves in Chapter 32?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Examine the use of dialogue vs the use of description. Look at how each is used in the novel and what makes these uses effective or ineffective.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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