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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. When all the delegates from both political parties get together, O'Rourke says they act like what club members?

2. When O'Rourke paints a cynical picture of the concept of "majority rule," what does he say that all pants will be made of?

3. Seeing the strange collection of tourists, journalists, and protesters, O'Rourke contemplated that Washington really needs what?

4. What was the name of the prophet who warned against a king that would take a 10th of his people's sheep?

5. When O'Rourke paints a cynical picture of the concept of "majority rule," what does he say will be the only thing on the shelves at libraries?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the world O'Rourke envisions when he points out the flaws of the "majority rules" system.

2. How does O'Rourke suppose that most Americans feel about the United States government?

3. How does O'Rourke feel that the American political system is like a Mexican Christmas fiesta?

4. How does O'Rourke feel about Jesse Jackson's speech, which he watched from his hotel room?

5. Why does O'Rourke believe that the United States government remains unchecked?

6. Why does O'Rourke say that George H. W. Bush's popularity plummeted?

7. How does O'Rourke feel about the concept of political conventions?

8. How does O'Rourke describe the partnership between Dukakis and Bentson?

9. How does O'Rourke explain what the Democrats and Republicans believe in?

10. How does O'Rourke feel about George H. W. Bush's 1991 budget?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What techniques does the author use to offer up his metaphor of the government's similarities to King George III? What are some of the examples he gives to support his claims? What does he say the founding fathers disagreed with King George III about?

Essay Topic 2

How does O'Rourke say the government essentially put itself into debt? How does the government spend its money, according to the author? What does O'Rourke say is the main reason the country is in debt? What techniques does the author use to express his feelings about the government's spending habits? What point is O'Rourke trying to make about the government and the citizens?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the title of O'Rourke's book. Who is he referring to when he speaks of the "parliament of whores"? Who are the "whores," and why does he use this word to describe this group? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

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