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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. Who does Dag believe carries a deep secret that can't be shared?

2. In Chapter 12, what does Otis equate suburban houses to?

3. What does Andy recall happened to Claire's father at the resort pool?

4. How does Andy describe Claire's handwriting?

5. What kind of car does Dag drive?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the beginning of the novel, what does Andy recall doing when he was fifteen years old?

2. How does Dag describe himself when he worked in advertising?

3. What does Margaret tell Dag is the only reason people get up and go to work everyday?

4. In Chapter 4, what spurs Dag's Toronto boss, Martin, into a tirade directed at Dag?

5. What does Buck ask each of the Monroe girls to do?

6. Why does Dag hope Charlene was the one who had to clean out his desk after he quit his job?

7. Describe Texlahoma.

8. In Chapter 7, at what point does Andy say he knows he and Claire would be friends for life?

9. What are the rules for story time among Andy and his friends, and why do they need rules?

10. In Chapter 14, what is Claire's theory of a "gripping stranger"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of storytelling in Generation X. Why is telling stories such an important past-time for these characters? What are some recurring characteristics of the way they tell their stories? What do their stories reveal about them? What are the rules they have set for storytelling?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Andy's, Claire's, and Dag's transformation. Do they all grow and transform equally? How do their personal transformations come about? How are their transformations conveyed to the reader? What symbols and metaphors does the author use to illustrate these important events?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the sun motif. What does sun and light represent in this novel? How do the three main characters view the sun? Do their views of the sun and light change as the novel progresses? If so, how?

(see the answer keys)

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