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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 brand of beer does O'Rourke mention when saying that "runaway car syndrome" is the result of drinking while driving?

2. 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?

3. O'Rourke points out that the manual for what automobile is 4 times as long as the U.S. Constitution?

4. In what year did a flag desecration case take place?

5. How many letters to a congressman did O'Rourke read before finding a thank-you letter?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What examples does O'Rourke give to say that America's government now embodies the same tyrannical bent that compelled the American colonies to secede from England?

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

4. Who does O'Rourke blame for the perceived poor state of the nation, and who does he let off the hook?

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

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

7. How does O'Rourke describe the day he shadowed a congressman?

8. How does O'Rourke describe the Democratic National Convention?

9. From O'Rourke's description, what does a congressman's job entail?

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

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 the author describe journalists? How does he seem to feel about these people? What techniques does the author use to show his opinions of Washington journalists? Why might his feelings about journalists be ironic? Does he address this irony?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the significance of Michael Dukakis in the book. How does O'Rourke use Dukakis' past experience as governor to mock him? What problems did he see with the way Dukakis led? What problems did he see with the promises Dukakis made to the U.S. citizens?

(see the answer keys)

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