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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 23, what is the primary feelings the narrator tries to convey?

2. What role does Manshardt have with the IRS?

3. How are IRS performance quotas described in Chapter 27?

4. In Chapter 22, why does David say he grew up knowing some tax laws?

5. In Chapter 30, where does Sylvanshine get the facts from that he shares with Reynolds?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In Chapter 22, why does David take a long time getting to the train?

3. Why doesn't David exit the van in Chapter 24 with the other people?

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

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

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

7. In Chapter 27, what worries Cusk most about his training?

8. What task is the narrator given by Gary Manshardt in Chapter 35?

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

10. How do IRS workers know of the phantoms?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Even though this novel has many characters, what makes David the protagonist of this novel? Compare his role in the novel to definitions of protagonists. How can a protagonist still exist in such a disjointed novel?

Essay Topic 2

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

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?

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