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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. At breakfast, what does Wilhelm take that bothers his father?

2. When did Wilhelm leave college to go to Hollywood?

3. What floor of the hotel does Wilhelm live on?

4. What was Dr. Adler's former career?

5. Who does Dr. Adler always boast about to his friends?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Wilhelm's first impressions of Maurice Venice, the talent scout who invites Wilhelm to Los Angeles.

2. According to Wilhelm in Chapter 6, why won't Margaret marry again?

3. Name some of Wilhelm's bad habits that his father cannot stand.

4. What is Wilhelm's opinion on city life?

5. Why does Wilhelm call Margaret after seeing Dr. Adler? What does she want?

6. Why did Wilhelm not marry his girlfriend in Roxbury?

7. In Chapter 5, what do we learn about Mr. Rowland that helped to convince Wilhelm to invest more money in the stock market?

8. What does Wilhelm hope to receive from Mr. Rappaport in Chapter 5?

9. In the beginning of Chapter 6, Tamkin shares the story of his own father. What is it?

10. Describe Wilhelm's appearance.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Foreshadowing is a literary device that is used quite often in the book.

Part 1) What is foreshadowing?

Part 2) Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how they're used in the text.

Part 3) Why is foreshadowing important in this particular story? What effect does it have on us as readers?

Essay Topic 2

Point of view has such a presence in the book that it is almost another character.

Part 1) What point of view does the narrator use in the book? Why is it significant?

Part 2) How does this point of view affect our perception of Wilhelm as a character? Why?

Part 3) How would the book be different if told from a different point of view?

Essay Topic 3

In defense of his own intentions, Tamkin tells Wilhelm, "I deal in facts. Facts are always sensational. I'll say that a second time. Facts always! are sensational."

Part 1) What does Tamkin mean by this?

Part 2) How does this serve his own end with Wilhelm?

Part 3) Do you agree with Tamkin? Why or why not?

Part 4) Wilhelm later states, "These hints, made dully as asides, grew by repetition into sensational claims." Does this change the meaning of Tamkin's statement? What is Wilhelm saying about Tamkin and his deceiver's tactics?

(see the answer keys)

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