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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. Where was Joe supposed to go?

2. What does Joe ask for on a whim?

3. How does graffiti convey meaning?

4. Where was Jory's clothes from?

5. Who hasn't died in this chapter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What things did Joe feel were an improvement when they had regressed?

2. How does Pat look at Joe?

3. What was the only thing that Joe decided would resist regression before anything else?

4. How did Al know that he was next to die?

5. Why couldn't Joe kill Jory?

6. What point does Joe make that gives Runciter pause for thought?

7. What was odd about Joe and Al's visit to Baltimore?

8. What according to the advertisement does Ubik actually do?

9. What is wrong with Joe's theory, regarding how to stay alive and stop from being worn out?

10. What is a common experience among half-lifers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although this book is set in 1992, explain some technological differences that existed in Ubik and the real world of 1992. What kinds of things are still the products of science fiction? What kinds of things are reality now?

Essay Topic 2

Explain how Joe's confidence increases throughout the novel. What are the circumstances that increase this confidence? How does he choose to exercise this newfound confidence?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Jory as a deity. In what way is he a god in the half life world? In what way is he like the god of the underworld? In what ways does he closely resemble a god?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample