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. What was the narrator's first class in high school?
(a) Latin.
(b) Algebra.
(c) Physics.
(d) Biology.

2. The archaeologists will probably think that TV commercials are some form of ______________.
(a) Communism.
(b) Religion.
(c) Pornography.
(d) Mating ritual.

3. What does the narrator especially appreciate about the catalog?
(a) The chatty captions.
(b) The prices.
(c) The free shipping.
(d) The b&w illustrations.

4. According to the narrator, how do Van people drive?
(a) Slowly.
(b) Very restrained.
(c) With abandon.
(d) Recklessly.

5. What happened to the narrator's middle school diploma?
(a) It was shredded.
(b) It was run over by a car.
(c) It blew away.
(d) His name was misspelled.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what class did the narrator's back row fakery defenses not work?

2. The exuberant colors, dancing, and music of the commercials have an element of ______________ about them.

3. What is one of the "get rich quick" products in the catalog?

4. What disturbing information did the groundskeeper at the park tell the boys?

5. The term "lemon" when used to refer to a bad car began with a man who lost a race in ____________ in 1903.

Short Essay Questions

1. What defense mechanisms did the kids in the back of the room develop in order to deflect the teachers' questions?

2. What human foibles does the Johnson Smith catalog prey on and why does the narrator appreciate it?

3. What are the differences in driving styles between the Camper Crowd and van people?

4. How does the narrator's experience in the Lincoln Tunnel mirror his demeanor during his school years?

5. Who is Howard and why is he so depressed about the word "lemon"?

6. What prompts the narrator to think of the Johnson Smith catalog?

7. Define a BNA and cite some supporting examples.

8. How does the narrator speculate that the archaeologists might think the commercials are somehow religious media?

9. What prompts the narrator's memory about the great ice cream war?

10. Why does the narrator focus on TV commercials as a true reflection of American society?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,126 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample