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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's father's arm get stuck in the train door in Chapter 22?

2. How does David know where to go at the IRS REC building in Chapter 24?

3. What year do David's parents divorce?

4. Why does David's father put his arm in the train door in Chapter 22?

5. Who are the main characters of Chapter 31?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. In Chapter 22, what details does David give to explain his parents' divorce?

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

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

8. How does David's early IRS training differ from Cusk's?

9. How do IRS workers know of the phantoms?

10. In Chapter 27, why is the word "profitable" not used officially?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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