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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 kind of business does Eliot own?

2. During Max's job interview, on what does he sit?

3. After an unpleasant encounter with someone after lunch, Peggy Jean tells her sons that they will no longer "see" what kind of people?

4. Where does John ask Peggy Jean to take their sons so that he is left alone at home?

5. What type of drink was spilled on Max's underwear?

Short Essay Questions

1. While Max's mother is ironing one day, why does she pass out?

2. What has Peggy Jean been taught about divorce?

3. What do you think of Leigh's memorable jewelry broadcast?

4. Describe the show on Sellevision that Max sees after his interview with E-Z-Shop.

5. Do you agree with Max's belief that much of life is luck?

6. At the beginning of Chapter Four, how does Trish's father treat her?

7. Once she has returned from Milan, why does Peggy Jean suspect that Trish is actually Zoe?

8. How do Adam and Max meet?

9. In the car on the way to the movies, why do you think Ricky uses gestures behind Peggy Jean's back to express how he's feeling towards her, instead of telling her?

10. Why was Max not wearing underwear at the beginning of the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the final image that the novel leaves with its readers? Why do you think the author ended the novel this way?

Essay Topic 2

The first two sentences of the book read, "'You exposed your penis on national television, Max. What am I supposed to do?'" What is/are the effect(s) of opening the book this way?

Essay Topic 3

How does the author employ irony in the novel? Is it used effectively, ineffectively, or both?

(see the answer keys)

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