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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 does the U.S. Ambassador cast into the sea during the celebration in Chapter 103?

2. What word means to acquiesce to the seeming demands of one's "vin-dit"?

3. In the excerpt from The Spoon River Anthology, whose hogs are stolen?

4. What is one phrase that "pool-pah" has been translated as in The Books of Bokonon?

5. What is the name of the servant who greets John at Frank Hoenikker's home in Chapter 74?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mrs. Crosby feel about her circumstances after the destruction of Ice-nine?

2. What is ironic about the cleaning process in Chapter 111?

3. How is the Papa Monzano's bomb shelter described in Chapter 117?

4. How is Newt's painting described in Chapter 74? What does it signify?

5. What symbolism can be seen in the story of the shipwreck on San Lorenzo that is related by Philip Castle?

6. How do the Hoenikker children describe the passing of the dog as a result of Ice-nine?

7. What is satirical about the "writer's strike" that Philip Castle proposes in Chapter 103?

8. Why was Bokononism initially banned? What impact did the ban have on Bokonon?

9. What irony can be seen at the memorial celebration on San Lorenzo?

10. What is the impending celebration for in San Lorenzo when the narrator arrives?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of mankind's greed and destructiveness in Cat's Cradle. How does Vonnegut develop this theme through character, setting, symbolism, and imagery? How is the theme developed through the action of the plot? What outcome does he present in this regard?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Vonnegut's use of irony in Cat's Cradle. What are examples of verbal, dramatic, and situational irony in the novel? What purpose does each example serve? How is irony related to satire?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the language style of Cat's Cradle. What are examples of fictional words from The Books of Bokonon, and what do they mean? Discuss the philosophy behind this religion. How does this religion impact the novel's language style?

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