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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. How tall does Newt Hoenikker claim to be in his letter to John?

2. How long ago does Newt say his brother Frank disappeared in his letter in Chapter 5?

3. How long is the island of San Lorenzo described as in Chapter 38?

4. What is the title of Chapter 4?

5. How old was Newt Hoenikker when his father died?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Newt Hoenikker describe his interaction with his father on the day the atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima?

2. What is significant about Frank's action of staging bug fights in Chapter 6?

3. Describe the narrative style of Cat's Cradle. Why do you think the author employs this style?

4. How does Bokononism influence the language style of the novel?

5. What is the significance of the literary/religious allusion in the opening of Chapter 1?

6. What is significant about the metaphor of cannonballs in the narrative?

7. How is Miss Pefko characterized in the novel?

8. What does John discover about San Lorenzo from the advertising supplement in the newspaper in Chapter 37?

9. What is ironic about the scientific work done for the military at the General Forge and Foundry Company?

10. What irony can be found in Dr. Breed's discussions of superstition in Chapters 16-18?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the plot structure of Cat's Cradle. Where in the story do the exposition and rising action occur? What comprises the climax of the story? How would you describe the falling action and denouement of the narrative?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the setting of San Lorenzo. What is the size of the island? How many inhabitants does it have? What are the primary exports of the island? How would you describe its economy and culture?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss John's relationship with Mona in the narrative. Why is John pressured to marry Mona? How do they relate to one another? What do they have in common? How do they differ in their perceptions and beliefs?

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