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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. What ethnic group did Kurt's friend in Nigeria belong to?

2. Why did Kurt have to talk to a cop?

3. What was the only way Kurt could get into an adult conversation when he was young?

4. What type of bird are Kurt and his typist trying to attract?

5. What type of missiles do nuclear submarines fire?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Kurt smoke? What has his experience been with drugs?

2. How does Kurt feel about the human race and their effect on nature?

3. How does Kurt feel about being an artist?

4. What does Kurt make jokes about? What can he not make jokes about?

5. What was important to Kurt while he was growing up?

6. What advice does Kurt have for readers about creative writing?

7. Who was Ned Ludd?

8. What political undertones can you notice in this chapter?

9. How did Kurt break new ground with his marriage?

10. What is the significance of the timeline for the introduction of the internal combustion engine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Research and write a short essay on humanism, including the foundations of the belief, major contributors, and well-known adherents.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay on the topic of mainstream culture, focusing on the formulaic aspect of books, movies, and so on. Be sure to address:

1) Common themes and formulas in mainstream culture.

2) The primary elements of mainstream culture and audience, and what makes something 'mainstream.'

3) The pros and cons of mainstream culture and art.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay on the environmental future of the Earth, with a focus on whether or not humanity will be able to prevent an environmental catastrophe (optimism vs. pessimism). Then write what you believe to be Vonnegut's point of view on the issue.

(see the answer keys)

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