View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At the summit of the mountain, the Narrator gets out
(a) his tools and adjusts the carburetors.
(b) his camera.
(c) his long underwear and jacket.
(d) his tools to adjust his chain.

2. The Narrator does not feel the faster speeds are good because
(a) the hills are dangerous at higher speeds.
(b) there are a lot of holes and broken places in the roads.
(c) his rear tire is wearing badly and could blow out.
(d) the road is getting really hot.

3. The purpose of Annihilation ECS was
(a) to liquidate a personality.
(b) to gel a personality.
(c) to create a new personality.
(d) to solidify a personality.

4. The first part of the formal scientific method is to
(a) state the problem.
(b) design and carry out experiments.
(c) state a possible hypothesis.
(d) observe the results of experiments.

5. A Chautauqua is
(a) A chat room on the internet for specialized discussions.
(b) A traveling tent-show meant to entertain and enlighten, once common in America.
(c) A carnival that sets up on the streets of small American towns.
(d) A Middle Eastern philosophy.

Short Answer Questions

1. Secondary roads are preferred by the Narrator because

2. The Narrator seems to think that technology is

3. John is interested in

4. The Narrator calls unnatural the divorce of

5. John puts on his long underwear and plays

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways is the phrase "to travel is better than to arrive" appropriate to the Narrator's trip to Bozeman?

2. A society which kills multitudes in wars, pollutes the land and oceans, and destroys the dignity of individuals is said to be a higher society than one that hunts and gathers. How can that be rationally explained?

3. The Narrator talks about the set of boxes which define the components of a motorcycle. If you start at the top with "motorcycle" and work to the next level, you have "components" and "functions;" at the next level "components" are divided into "power assembly" and "running assembly." Where else do we find such hierarchies? Give examples of this pyramidal structure of hierarchical organization charts in business, science, and government. Can you think of others?

4. Sentence fragments are exchanged between the Narrator and the young woman who comes into the classroom. What do we learn about rumors concerning Phaedrus (the Narrator) that circulated in the English department? What do you think is the young woman's role at the university at this time?

5. How did Phaedrus stimulate students to think for themselves?

6. How did the mechanics who had worked on the Narrator's motorcycle prove that caring about what you are doing is essential to doing it right?

7. What is symbolized by the riding without helmets and what is symbolized by Chris' standing on the pegs to ride the motorcycle?

8. Based on what you have read through chapter 28, by way of predicting an outcome for the book, write a paragraph or two explaining a dream you think the Narrator will have near the end of the book.

9. What does the last sentence of the chapter mean: "I am a pioneer now, looking onto a promised land."

10. What reasons did the Narrator (Phaedrus) have for feeling deep kinship with students who were failing his classes? How was he like them? How was he different from them?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,875 words (approx. 7 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample