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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. Which of the following adjectives does Paul use to describe Candice, Mitchell's date to the party?

2. How does Paul react when he hears that someone is leaving notes in Sean's mailbox?

3. Which of the following terms of endearment does Paul's mother refer to him as?

4. How does Lauren feel about Steve the morning after they have sex?

5. What type of cuisine does Sean invite Paul out for?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the mystery girl think is going to happen when she attends the "Dressed to Get Screwed" party?

2. How does Mitchell treat Paul after the first time they sleep together?

3. How does Paul react when he hears that someone is dropping love notes in Sean's mailbox?

4. Why is Paul hesitant to meet his mother in Boston when she requests a visit?

5. What happens when Paul invites Sean out for Mexican food?

6. Why does Lauren feel guilty about having sex with Franklin at a party?

7. What connection does the drug addict Marc make to his addiction and JFK's assassination?

8. What happens when Sean attempts to have sex with Deirdre after the party?

9. What happens when Victor meets some Yugoslavian men during his vacation?

10. According to Paul's perspective of the evening, what happened when Sean leaves the party and comes back to his house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the students in this novel come from extremely wealthy families, and money is not an issue to them. First, describe how monetary stresses most college students face are erased from the lives of these characters. Then, give at least two examples of scenes in which money is clearly not an issue for the students. Finally, explain how you think coming from families with money has affected the life decisions these students make while at college. Do you think they would live the same spoiled, hedonistic lives if they were not wealthy? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, the reader sees glimpses into Sean's romantic history, including stories of many ex-girlfriends. First, create a time line of significant romantic relationships in Sean's life and the lessons he learned from each one. Then, use the time line to explain Sean's treatment of Lauren, particularly at the end of their relationship. Do you think Sean's behavior in his relationship with Lauren was inevitable? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Many of the characters in this novel can be seen as escapists, meaning that they escape the truth of their lives through various vices. First, create a list of methods through which characters escape their lives. Then, give at least one example of a character who successfully escapes the truth of their life and compare/contrast that experience to another character who does not succeed in escaping the truth of their lives. What do you think Ellis's overall message about escapism is in this novel?

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