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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. In what building is Jack's academic department?

2. Where does Babette like to run?

3. Where does the German teacher live?

4. Alfonse is an example of one of the academic emigres from where?

5. Which pop-culture icon is Murray most interested in studying?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of exercise does Babette do? Does Jack join in?

2. Why does Babette ask if Bee and Steffie know each other?

3. What does Babette look like?

4. Why does the chancellor suggest that Jack should change his persona, and what does he suggest?

5. Why does Heinrich stay away when the family gathers to watch the sunset.

6. Why is the chair of the department of American environments (the pop-culture department) opposed to Murray's establishment of Elvis studies?

7. Describe the scene that opens the novel, in terms of setting, action and narration.

8. Characterize Heinrich in terms of the discussion about the rain he has with Jack. What does DeLillo want us to understand about him?

9. Why did Babette want to see "station-wagon" day?

10. What is so shocking about Jack's trouble with German?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Nyodene D. spill evokes real danger and expresses real anxiety on the part of DeLillo that Americans could be affected by such an "event". Jack even expresses the opinion that only the poor and exposed could be in danger from such things. Write an analytical essay that discusses disaster as a theme in this novel, citing specific textual examples to explain your ideas. How is this a reflection of the time when this book was written, and would it be different if DeLillo were writing today?

Essay Topic 2

The supermarket is an important locale in this novel. Describe what the supermarket means thematically in this novel, remembering to include what happens there through the novel and what role it plays both in the lives of the characters and in terms of advancing the plot.

Essay Topic 3

Wilder, Jack and Babette's youngest child, is non-verbal in a family of fast-talking, bright and pretty evasive/elliptical conversationalists. Write an analytical essay that explains Wilder's function in the narrative. Be sure to offer an explanation of how Wilder affects the plot, characterization, mood, etc.

(see the answer keys)

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