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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 is NOT a word Tolentino uses to describe particular elements of the internet that soured after a turning point she names?

2. Tolentino states that she began writing Trick Mirror in which season of 2017?

3. Tolentino asserts that engaging in the ridiculous goal of "figuring out how to 'get better' at being a woman" (64) will never bring what?

4. How many dollars did Tolentino's father offer to give her if she tried out for the reality show?

5. How many camera from the reality television show filmed the events at the bioluminescent bay?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of Jess's comments about Cory's homosexuality in the essay "Reality TV Me"?

2. Name a piece of evidence Tolentino uses to support her claims about the misogynistic qualities of the now-defunct online community called 4Chan.

3. To what work is the title of "Always Be Optimizing" referring and what is the significance of the allusion within the essay?

4. What does Tolentino mean when she states that "the ideal woman is always optimizing" (63)?

5. How does Tolentino contrast her real feelings about taking part in Girls vs. Boys: Puerto Rico with the impression she gave her family?

6. How many essays are contained within Trick Mirror and around what theme do they all revolve?

7. What symbolism does Tolentino highlight within an Instagram profile in the essay "Always Be Optimizing"?

8. How does Tolentino describe the connection between each essay's topic and her own life?

9. What psychological effect of the current incarnation of the world wide web does Tolentino find most dangerous and why?

10. Discuss an instance in the introduction when Tolentino uses a metaphor to illustrate a particular point.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Trick Mirror from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay examining how the text portrays the American Dream. Is there one American Dream or are there many different ones, according to Tolentino? What is the text saying about the American dream in the twenty-first century?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how and why Tolentino instills three different humanist messages into the narrative of Trick Mirror.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,110 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample