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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 shows up at the party to speak to Dag?

2. In Chapter 25, what does Andy's father tell him he should get rid of "pronto"?

3. Who does Claire say radiation has even more endurance than?

4. What does Elvissa get a job as in Chapter 21?

5. What color does Curtis say hummingbirds are particularly attracted to?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Andy, why will this year's Christmas holiday be different at the Palmer home?

2. In Chapter 17, what does Claire describe as her memory of life on earth?

3. What does Andy say is the kiss of death, personality-wise in Chapter 25?

4. What memory of his parents does Tobias share in Chapter 17?

5. In Chapter 20, what does Andy suggest is the best way to stop dogs from begging at the dinner table?

6. Describe Bunny Hollander.

7. What does Claire intend to do with the stick she found on the street in New York?

8. What is the significance of the title of the story Elvissa tells, "The Boy with the Hummingbird Eyes"?

9. In Chapter 17, what does Dag explain will be his memory of life on earth?

10. What does Andy describe planing in his parents' back yard in Chapter 23?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the motif of materialism in Generation X. How do the main characters feel about materialism? In what way is materialism connected with the characters' families and the setting of the novel? What is a yuppie?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the conclusion of the novel. How does it end? What happens to the protagonist at the end of the novel? What is the significance of this moment?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Coupland's use of irony. How does Coupland use irony to reiterate the themes of the novel?

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