View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is happening to Heinrich's hair?

2. Where does Babette like to run?

3. Eventually, Babette will teach a class in sitting, standing and what other activity?

4. What is the relationship between Dana Breedlove and Steffie.

5. Where was Mr. Treadwell found?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the family lunch the Gladneys eat, in terms of who attended, what they ate and what the mood was.

2. Why does Jack think the Treadwells did not ask for help when they were lost?

3. Describe how Murray interacts with Jack and Babette at the supermarket.

4. Why do they bring Wilder to the doctor in Chapter 16?

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

6. What is the mood of the family when they are shopping at the mall?

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

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

9. Why does Murray come over to watch television with the kids?

10. What is the conflict between Babette and Denise, vis-a-vis sugarless gum?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the role that television plays in the life of the Gladney family. What is DeLillo trying to communicate about the way Americans watch television, or about what is produced and broadcast? Is this novel a critique of a "media generation"? Has television changed substantially since 1985? Would a new version of this novel include the internet in similar ways? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Image is important on television, as well as in this novel. Describe how these characters create and project persona and identities that may not be entirely their own. Students should write an analysis of the issue of image and manufactured image in terms of at least one major character (such as Jack, Babette or Murray) and at least one minor character (Howard Waldrop, Winnie Richards, Willie Minks, etc.).

Essay Topic 3

These characters are preoccupied, and maybe even obsessed, with their own deaths. Compare and contrast Jack's obsession with his mortality and Babette's obsession with hers. Write an essay that details the ways their fear of death are similar and how they are different. Be sure to describe specific instances in the novel and how the reader comes to understand each.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 880 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample