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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 26, which is the oldest phantom?

2. In Chapter 27, where does Cusk sit?

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

4. What happens when David sits next to Cusk on the IRS van?

5. What form does the narrator of Chapter 22 claim to use?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Chapter 25 about?

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

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

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

5. How does David's father's arm get stuck in the train?

6. How does David feel while Ms. Neti-Neti leads him into the IRS REC?

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

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

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

10. Why does David feel he wasted his youth in Chapter 22?

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

How is characterization accomplished in this novel? Consider the fact that characters will appear in one chapter and not again for several chapters. Consider how many of the characters interact with minor and unnamed characters. Also, how is characterization accomplished in chapters that exist to develop the IRS and setting only?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the commentary on employment that occurs in this novel. Compare and contrast the types of employment and the relationship between the careers of the characters and their overall happiness.

(see the answer keys)

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