View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How do the MIT students react to Vonnegut's speech?
(a) They are appalled by his speech.
(b) They are convinced and accept his challenge.
(c) They applaud politely but do not take him seriously.
(d) They cheer enthusiastically.

2. Why are certain words in Rait's limerick replaced with the sound "dah" when recited on the BBC?
(a) It sounds funny.
(b) This sound replaces dirty language.
(c) Rait made this adjustment to her limerick.
(d) The limerick is too long.

3. What does Vonnegut compare to an alcoholic stockbroker not wanting his head in a Port Authority Bus Terminal toilet?
(a) Western Civilization builds weapons and convinces civilians to hate groups of humanity, but they do not want big wars.
(b) Presidents Bush and Reagan.
(c) Third World Countries.
(d) Mozambicans.

4. Although people with acute mental disorder are less often written off as hopeless, why is there still a lack of certainty for patients and their families?
(a) Psychological testing is dangerous.
(b) A dozen separate diseases are still lumped together as schizophrenia/manic depression.
(c) Most patients still have to be institutionalized.
(d) Medications can have severe adverse effects.

5. What do many of Vonnegut's books, including this one, not include?
(a) Fantasy creatures.
(b) Mammals.
(c) Social groups.
(d) Individual human beings.

6. Why are Vonnegut's jokes not funny?
(a) He never attempts to tell jokes.
(b) His jokes are immature and childish.
(c) He is skilled at letting readers off the hook.
(d) He lacks a way to let readers off the hook.

7. To what does Vonnegut compare Bush's presidential campaign?
(a) Pornographic sleaze.
(b) Nazi propaganda.
(c) East Germany propaganda.
(d) Perfect example of democracy.

8. What does Vonnegut dream the world will be like in 1,000 years?
(a) There will still be rich and poor, but all will be descendants of people who endure insults without committing suicide or murder.
(b) There will be no world in 1,000 years.
(c) There will be no humankind, because the various world leaders will lead their countries into massive wars.
(d) German descendants will be running the planet.

9. What is the definition of this society of which Dr. Robert Redfield speaks?
(a) It is an organization that encourages country living.
(b) It is isolated geographically and members agree on what life is about and behave uniformly.
(c) It is an organization that teaches folk dances of various cultures.
(d) It is a wide-spread belief in diversity and acceptance of others.

10. Why are Germans frightening?
(a) They murder thousands during World War II.
(b) They like to fight other white people.
(c) They like to fight those from other cultures.
(d) They do not like Jews.

11. What is the name of the Bishop Vonnegut travels with to the Galapagos?
(a) Bishop Smith.
(b) Bishop Moore.
(c) Bishop Vale.
(d) Bishop Morgan.

12. Who is the author of THE KILIMANJARO DEVICE?
(a) Mark Vonnegut.
(b) Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
(c) Jane Austen.
(d) Ray Bradbury.

13. How does Mark feel about the 1960s?
(a) They are even more spaced-out, flaky, ,and self-absorbed times than depicted in movies.
(b) They are not spaced-out, flaky, or self-absorbed times as depicted in movies.
(c) They are just as spaced-out, flaky, and self-absorbed times as depicted in movies.
(d) Mark does not remember the 1960s.

14. What is the subtitle of SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE?
(a) "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
(b) "The Children's Crusade."
(c) "A Mature Decision."
(d) "The Last Crusade."

15. What Joseph Conrad novel depicts whites as highly evolved and others as monkeys without tails?
(a) Deep in Darkness.
(b) The Dark Continent.
(c) Land of Darkness.
(d) Heart of Darkness.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why are ex-hippies ashamed to belong to their social class?

2. In THE NATION what does Vonnegut claim is the U.S.'s most nurturing contribution to planetary culture?

3. What does Vonnegut believe may unite mankind, by creating a generation that does not need to fight to be disillusioned by war?

4. The "Religious Revival" Vonnegut describes has two commandments. What are they?

5. What university do Vonnegut's grandfather, father, uncle, and brother attend?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 698 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample