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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. Where did the narrator meet his friend, Howard, for lunch?

2. According to the narrator, Camper people are ____________________.

3. What fact learned in class does the narrator still use in cocktail party conversations?

4. When the narrator imagines a future archaeological dig at a lost city, what does he think the rediscovered city will be called?

5. According to the narrator, how do Camper people drive?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What was the worst case scenario of a BNA?

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

4. Describe the narrator's surprise inspiration in Algebra class and how he avoided looking like the failure he was sure he was.

5. What scenario does the narrator imagine in which archaeologists discover television advertising and what are their perceptions of it?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the most striking characteristics of Shepherd's writing was his complete honesty. Explain why this is necessary to complete a book of this nature. Would a reader be able to see through fabrications and falsehoods in a book like this? Describe why this format is the perfect for Shepherd's personality.

Essay Topic 2

The narrator introduces the reader to several types of people in the book. Do you think he liked any one of them more than the others? Who would you choose to be your new friend among the people the narrator introduced in the book? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the narrator's character. What are his similarities to Jean Shepherd? Do you think the narrator's character was based on Shepherd himself? Cite your reasons for your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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