View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many books does Hank say his father had published by the time he left his family?

2. Who does Hank go to see, after he delivers Russell to his destination?

3. Hank mentions in his article that his father had written about a television program for his book on pop culture. What television program did he write about?

4. In the Epilogue, what has happened to Paul Rourke's wife?

5. What does Hank's mother make obvious to Hank after he almost runs her over?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Hank's father finally solve his problem? How does Hank assess this?

2. Russell goes along to the party for Tony, and tries to get Tony's computer to work, without success. While this is going on, a large group of the professors get stuck in the room, and cannot seem to be able to figure out how to get out. What is Hank's observation on this?

3. In the Epilogue, what does Hank tell the readers he is now doing?

4. What happens after Tony and Hank leave the restaurant? Where do they both end up?

5. What is the result of Hank's visit to his doctor's office? What does the doctor, Phil Watson, tell him?

6. What are Hank's Prologues to Book One and Two about, and where are they published? What is his mother's reaction to his writing?

7. Hank heads to campus after Lou and Teddy's calls, and on his way passes his daughter Julie's house. He starts to think about his wife's call. What did she tell him about her father? How does Hank feel about his father-in-law?

8. How did Devereaux Sr. attempt to cope with his problem?

9. What deal did Hank's father accept after the "dog incident" that Hank related in his first article? According to his son, what made this a very attractive offer for William Henry Devereaux, Sr.?

10. Hank goes back to his office after seeing his mother on the street. What happens to him there and what does he immediately do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is "creative license"? When is it commonly used? When should it not be used? In what instances, giving examples, is it permissible to use it in fiction? Cite three examples from "Straight Man" where you believe creative license was used.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Choose two characters in the book that play an important role in Hank's life and discuss their characteristics and the importance of their relationship with Hank. Cite three specific examples for each character from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,115 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample