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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 can Paul not stay for lunch?

2. What does Paul think Segarra has decided to do to him?

3. What does Paul talk to Lotterman about?

4. Where do Paul and Sala take the two girls?

5. Where does Sala talk Paul into going?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Yeaman coping with losing his job?

2. What do Paul, Sala and the girls do on the beach?

3. What does Paul do in Yeaman's house in Chapter 3?

4. What does Paul think Segarra's role is at the newspaper?

5. What does Paul do on his first day at the newspaper?

6. What problems do Paul, Sala and Yeaman run into at the bar?

7. Why does Paul give Yeaman and Sala a bad impression?

8. Why can Paul not work at the beginning of this chapter?

9. What signs are there that newspaper will soon fold?

10. What does Paul do when he sees the pretty girl standing in the line?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Thompson use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Aside from the main character, examine the way Thompson uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main themes of the story. Why do you think these themes are so important to the story? How does Thompson use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 3

Choose a character from the novel and discuss how the novel's meaning would change if it were written from his/her point of view.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 781 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample