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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 calls Jennifer at work?

2. What does Catch cough up at the beginning of Chapter 19?

3. What is his second destination?

4. What does Rivera take with him from The Breeze's trailer, at Robert's insistence?

5. What does Gian put into his Kool Aid?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the plan Howard, Robert, Travis, Augustus, and Gian plan in the Head of the Slug in Chapter 32.

2. What does Rachel tell Travis when he calls him at Jennifer's?

3. How does Gian explain lying about what will happen to Catch, and how does Augustus respond?

4. What does Augustus bring into his house, with the help of Gian? What does he explain they are?

5. Explain, in detail, why Amanda doesn't tell Effrom she is aware of his smoking and of his watching of women's exercise programs, and what she does to extend his pleasure.

6. Explain what happens to Effrom in Chapter 35.

7. In Chapter 20, Effrom is visited by Catch, and several times, thinks he has has killed his wife. Why?

8. Why does Catch want to kidnap Jennifer at the end of Chapter 28?

9. Describe Travis and Jennifer's evening after they arrive at her home at the end of Chapter 22.

10. What connection does the Nailgun find between the names and dates in Travis' suitcase?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Abuse also plays a powerful role in the novel. Rachel is physically abused by her first husband, and mentally abuses other people herself for her own gain. Robert, while in a milder form, appears to abuse himself throughout the novel as an alcoholic. Catch abuses Travis, and Travis equally abuses Catch. Choose one of these characters, and give, in detail, how abuse has affected his or her life. Do their actions seem to stem from a history of abuse? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, the lives of the characters prove to be connected in ways they do not understand. Amanda and Travis are connected through their night on the train, Nailsworth is involved with Roxanne, who is Billy, who has been eaten by Catch, and so forth. Rivera is asked to check on Roxanne, and is connected with Robert and The Breeze through an impending drug bust. This interconnectedness appears to suggest an order for the universe, which is in direct contrast to Augustus' belief in chaos.

Using examples from the book, explain which view of the universe you believe the novel represents. Are the situations in the novel chaotic in nature, or based on an orderly undercurrent? Why do you believe this is the case? What does this say about the author's view of the universe? Does this coincide with the religious undertones of the novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Women are portrayed in several ways in the novel. Jennifer herself is portrayed as a tolerant wife, a powerful, natural woman, a desirable woman who cares how she looks, and as a powerful woman. Rachel moves throughout the story from an abused wife to a seductive, power-seeking femme fatale. Mavis is also a strong female character, as is Amanda. Discuss at least two of these characters at length. Make sure to touch on their progress throughout the novel, their appearance, their role throughout the novel, and how their society views them in relation to the events of the novel.

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