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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 is the name of the television news reporter who narrates the segment that Hank is in?

2. What state is Railton College in?

3. What did Hank's mother want him to do in exchange for allowing him to have a dog?

4. Bodie wants to know about Hank's meeting with Dickie Pope. What does she advise him to do?

5. Why is Hank's colleague Teddy driving him home after a staff meeting in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Hank meet at the local bowling alley for lunch? What do they talk about?

2. After visiting the duck pond, Hank heads to the cafeteria. Who does he meet there? What is Hank's history with this person? What do they talk about?

3. Hank's news item is aired on television and he becomes something of a local hero to his colleagues. What is the first place Hank goes to that night? What is bothering him?

4. In the Prologue, how does Hank explain that his life was not easy as a child?

5. When Hank finally gets home, what is his daughter doing? What message does he find on his answering machine?

6. After having lunch at the bowling alley, Hank goes to see his mother, but first visits with Mr. Purty. Who is Mr. Purty and what does he give Hank?

7. What did Hank's mother make Hank promise to do if he got a dog? Why?

8. The morning after his news debut, Hank realizes the film has been shown on Good Morning, America, much to everyone's amusement. Hank heads to see Campbell Wheemer. What is Hank's nickname for Wheemer? Why does he call him that? How is Wheemer a contrast to Hank?

9. When Hank gets back to his office, after meeting with Bodie, what does he tell his secretary? What does Rachel tell him and what does Hank do about this?

10. Why is Hank under pressure from his department colleagues at the beginning of the book? What does this result in at a staff meeting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

State the theme of "Straight Man". How is the theme of the story reflected in the conflicts and challenges Hank Devereaux experiences during one week at Railton College? Give four examples with an explanation for each one.

Essay Topic 2

Dialogue often serves to reveal characters and their traits, as well as events. It is often used as an alternative to exposition. How is dialogue used as a literary technique to move a narrative along, and specifically how is it utilized in Straight Man? Cite, in detail, one example of how dialogue is used effectively in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Straight Man is a first person narrative, told from William Henry Devereaux (Hank)'s point-of-view. Briefly explain how the first person narrative is effective and how it is limited. Give four specific examples that show how the novel is effective being told from Hank's point of view, and how our understanding and appreciation of the novel's scenes are enhanced.

(see the answer keys)

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