View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What would Ivan the Terrible nail to your head if you disagreed with him?

2. What type of people are not welcome in Washington at the time of writing?

3. How old was the woman?

4. 'The good Earth--we could have saved it, but we were too damn...'

5. Who was the first to say 'do unto others...?'

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the main theme in Mark Twain's "The Mysterious Stranger?" Do you agree?

2. What have the PPs done to the country?

3. Who is Kurt's hero?

4. What does Kurt say about the value of books?

5. How does Kurt feel about his Uncle Dan?

6. What does Kurt say is all he really ever wanted to do?

7. Why does Kurt think the suicide rate of slave owners was higher than the suicide rate of slaves?

8. What is Kurt's theory about time?

9. Do you think that humans are really too 'cheap and lazy' to save the planet?

10. Who is Gil Berman?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay comparing Kurt Vonnegut to another humorist, such as Mark Twain. Using the example of at least one book from each author, compare style, message, and philosophical standpoint with special attention given to similarities.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay comparing American literature to the literature of another country, such as France or Germany. Be sure to note differences or similarities in:

1) Theme.

2) Politics.

3) Optimism vs pessimism.

4) Influence upon global philosophy.

Essay Topic 3

Write an persuasive essay on political power, with a focus on the effect of power on people who hold it. Points to address are:

1) Specific examples of the corrupting influence of power.

2) Your personal attitude towards having power over other people.

3) Recommendations for checks and balances over political power in a modern democracy.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 826 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample