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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. On what day do Nora and Travis buy their Christmas tree?

2. What kind of man, according to Aunt Violet didn't exist anywhere in the world?

3. Why did Travis buy the scrabble board?

4. What does Einstein call Nora and Travis?

5. What was the subject of Nora's newest painting?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Travis feel with Nora gone?

2. Why would the government want a dog with human intelligence?

3. How does Einstein's communication via the tiles convince Dr. Keene to keep him free?

4. How does the Magnum Travis was carrying act as ID?

5. Why did Travis buy a Scrabble board?

6. Why was it that Lem couldn't tolerate failure?

7. How did the Outsider inspire pity in Travis?

8. How does Garrison get past the cops?

9. Why didn't Nora keep her new hairstyle?

10. What did Vince do that he didn't think would have been acceptable by Don Tetragna, and what did he do to prepare himself for this outcome?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how having a mental illness is more of a way of life than it was in earlier centuries. What do you think is responsible for this global shift in perspective? How has it become chic to have some sort of mild mental disorder? How are mental illnesses glamorized in the media? Who profits from mental illness?

Essay Topic 2

What sort of things did Lem find in the Outsider's lair? What did he believe they meant to the Outsider? How did this make Lem feel? What does it make the reader feel, and how is this technique used to portray the Outsider?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Lem and Nora. In what ways are they both victims? In what ways are they strong? How do both character's progress throughout the novel? How is their progression healthier for them in the long run?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 967 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample