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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 reason did Henry give for wanting to kill himself?

2. Who compares the end of the night at a party to being picked for gym class?

3. Which of the following adjectives did the hippie girl frequently use to describe Sean?

4. What project is Lauren working on in her art studio?

5. What color boxer shorts does Sean wear, a color Paul frequently teases him about?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the quote "when the sun sets"?

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

3. How does Sean react when Paul meets him to apologize for missing their date?

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

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

6. What happens when the unnamed narrator of the novel decides that she would like to lose her virginity?

7. How does Sean react when he is turned down for sex by Roxanne at a party?

8. Who is Henry, and why is he depressed about his life?

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

10. What is the opening scene of the novel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Unrequited love is prominent theme throughout the novel. Choose at least two instances of relationships considered to be unrequited love. Then compare/contrast the reasons behind this unrequited love. Why can't it be reciprocated? Then, explain the results of this unrequited love in the characters' lives. Why might Ellis claim that unrequited love is the most dangerous kind of love?

Essay Topic 2

What are Victor's three main desires during his European vacation? List each of his desires and describe at least one scene in which he attempts to satiate that desire. Do you think Victor is acting selfishly on his vacation, or do you think he earned this time to himself? Why?

Essay Topic 3

At the opening of the novel, both Lauren and Sean have sexual partners that embarrass them, Steve and Deirdre. First, explain why Lauren is embarrassed of Steve and compare/contrast this to the embarrassment Sean feels about Deirdre. Based on the embarrassments of these two characters, what can the reader assume is most important in the relationships of these young characters?

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