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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 happened upon the accident?

2. Which member of Didion's family went to Hawaii during the war?

3. Who does Didion think the area excludes?

4. What is the name of the wind Didion mentions in this essay?

5. About whom does the nighttime talk show host talk?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the theme of this essay?

2. Why is Hawaii important to Didion?

3. Describe the history of Sacramento.

4. How do the scientists think the Santa Ana winds work to cause psychological changes?

5. What are Didion's thoughts about the island?

6. What problems does Didion face when she and her husband visit her family?

7. How do the Los Angeles citizens know when the Santa Ana winds are about to blow?

8. Describe Alcatraz Island as depicted in this essay.

9. In what way does Newport Beach disappoint Didion?

10. Describe the accident in the mountains.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The essays are mostly set in California.

1) What meaning does California bring to the essays?

2) How different do you think today's California is from the California in the novel? How do you think the book's meaning would change if it were set in today's California?

Essay Topic 2

Compare one of Didion's early essays to one of her later essays. How do her ideas about life change? How has her writing style changed?

Essay Topic 3

Write a 500-word essay addressing the following statement: None of Didion's peers challenge her beliefs and, because of that, her essays do not express any new ideas.

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