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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 Henry say he thinks of as a second home?

2. What is the name of Henry's new boss?

3. What does Henry buy with his winnings?

4. When does Henry say he prefers sex?

5. What does Mrs. Adams say Henry needs?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Henry break Pop's world record in the tenth section?

2. Describe Mary Lou.

3. What are the perks of Henry's new job?

4. Summarize the eight section.

5. What does Smithson tell the men he will teach them?

6. What is Henry's attitude at his job at the Times newspaper?

7. What is Henry's excuse for walking funny?

8. What does Henry find attractive about Jan?

9. Who does Henry work with at the bicycle shop?

10. How does Henry cure his itching crotch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What problems does Bukowski identify with the American social system? What are the arguments for and against developing a better social system? How has the American social system changed since the 70s?

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main themes of the story. In what way are these themes relevant to the period? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 3

Compare Chinaski's character to the person he was at the beginning of the book to the he is at the end.

1. What did Chinaski hope to achieve at the beginning of the book?

2. What events changes Chinaski's ideas about life?

3. How has Chinaski's character changed by the end of the book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 654 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample