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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. What role does Manshardt have with the IRS?

2. In Chapter 22, who does David blame his parents' divorce on?

3. In Chapter 24, what level does David say he was hired into the IRS as?

4. In Chapter 30, what example of outdated material does Sylvanshine talk about with Reynolds?

5. What is something the examiners discuss in Chapter 29?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens with the lawsuits that follow David's father's death?

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

4. How do IRS workers know of the phantoms?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Explore the author's commentary on government in "The Pale King". What is the preferred relationship between government and citizen? What is the relationship between government and government employee?

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