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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. Who was the owner of the Igloo ice cream shop?

2. What is masked as a cigar in the catalog?

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

4. Ironically, the happy, family, outdoorsy vehicle known as the camper is now used by the Mafia as ____________________________.

5. Of what do the kids at the back of the class live in fear?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the typical bumper sticker messages found on campers as opposed to the stickers found on vans?

2. What is the imaginary Sociology lecture the narrator gives on car culture and describe the differences between the Camper Crowd and Van people.

3. How does the narrator recall growing up in his family in small-town Indiana?

4. With what does the narrator credit the Johnson Smith catalog for being and how will it stand up as an American culture artifact?

5. Define a BNA and cite some supporting examples.

6. Describe how Mr. Leggett managed to drive The Happy Cow out of business.

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

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

9. Why does the narrator attribute his academic doom to classroom seating?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the point of view of this book? Why did Shepherd use this point of view? Is it the only way the book could have realistically been written? How else could Shepherd have used point of view to alter the rhythm of the book? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall settings for the stories. What is important about each setting as it is revealed? What are the time periods of the stories? How important are the time periods to the attitudes and issues of the people?

Essay Topic 3

Shepherd was a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony. Briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

(see the answer keys)

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