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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. Which Russian author does Murray mention in Chapter 37?

2. What does the D. in Nyodene D. stand for?

3. Who was Jack's fourth wife?

4. Which medical issue is Jack's doctor concerned with?

5. What happens to the asylum?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Jack, why does this family not have to worry about evacuating or being affected?

2. What is the (potentially wrong) answer Denise gives Babette when Babette wonders why UFOs always come from upstate?

3. Who is Willie Mink?

4. According to Jack, what is the effect weather reports have on the elderly?

5. Why does Jack follow Winnie Richards in Chapter 25? Are his reasons valid?

6. Murray says that there are two kinds of people, killers and diers. Which one does Jack say he is and why?

7. When Murray and Jack discuss the weird feelings they have about Howard, what are some of the things they mention that just do not feel right?

8. How did the mock evacuation in Chapter 28 turn out?

9. Which particular kind of people does Jack notice watching the insane asylum burn down, when he and Heinrich go to watch?

10. What is Orest Mercator trying to do?

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

Compare and contrast Jack's wives. Write an essay that describes Dana, Janet, Tweedy and Babette in turn, and explains the ways in which they are similar or different. Why did Jack want to marry them? What caused conflicts in their marriages? What does this show readers about Jack?

Essay Topic 3

Decide whether or not you think this book is funny. If so, write a position paper that explains the humor and why you find it funny/why DeLillo hopes the reader finds it funny. If you do not think it is funny, write a position paper that articulates your opinion of the jokes/humor/irony at work here and why you think it was not effective. Be sure to offer specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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