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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 is described in Book 1, Chapter 4: "Let the Great World Spin Forever Down" as "the purest bodyflow [the walker] could get"?

2. What is the name of Blaine's art film that featured him eating breakfast on the roof of the Clock Tower Building?

3. About how old was Corrigan when he began getting drunk, according to the narrator in Book 1, Chapter 1: "All Respects to Heaven, I Like It Here"?

4. What areas of the subways does Fernando consider to be "virgin territory" for taggers?

5. What led to the narrator's mother's death in Book 1, Chapter 1: "All Respects to Heaven, I Like It Here"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Whom do the protagonists speak to first on the phone in Book 2, Chapter 6: “Etherwest”? What do they learn from this character?

2. What preparations for the World Trade Center stunt are described in Book 1, Chapter 4: “Let the Great World Spin Forever Down”?

3. What is foreshadowed in the end of Book 1, Chapter 3: “A Fear of Love”?

4. How would you describe the narrative style and focus of Book 2, Chapter 5: “Tag”?

5. What is the central conflict of Corrigan in Book One, Chapter 1: “All Respects to Heaven, I Like It Here”?

6. What presumed event is taking place at the end of Book 2, Chapter 5: “Tag”?

7. What is revealed of the protagonist’s past in the beginning of Book 1, Chapter 3: “A Fear of Love”?

8. How is the concept of “genius” defined in Book 2, Chapter 5: “Tag”?

9. What are the two main settings of Book One, Chapter 1: “All Respects to Heaven, I Like It Here”? How are these settings compared?

10. How is the meadow described in Book 1, Chapter 4: “Let the Great World Spin Forever Down”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the character of Claire Soderberg in Let the Great World Spin. What is Claire doing when her character is introduced? What are Claire’s central conflicts in the narrative? How does the language in Claire’s chapter reflect upon her mental state?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the plot structure of Let the Great World Spin. How traditionally is the narrative structured? In what ways is the novel’s structure unique in comparison with other works you’ve read? Did you feel satisfied that all of the “loose ends” were tied up in the ending? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the walker’s reasons for performing his stunt at the World Trade Center towers. For how long has the walker trained for this stunt? How has he trained? How is the event itself described for the walker?

(see the answer keys)

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