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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 does Augie blame for the drop in intimacy when he and Thea move to Acalta?

2. How many sailors survive the sinking of the ship at sea?

3. What does Augie give to Paslavitch in exchange for free room and board?

4. How long is Augie given leave from the Merchant Marines to celebrate his honeymoon?

5. In the final scene of the novel, what is Augie doing in the frozen fields of Normandy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mr. Gammick teach Augie about work life?

2. How does Renee attempt to ensnare Simon in her life forever?

3. How does Augie react when he sees Caligula for the first time?

4. Who does the CIO represent, and what is their aim?

5. Who is Sophie Geratis?

6. Who is Paslavitch?

7. Who collects venomous snakes, and why?

8. Why do Augie and Thea break up?

9. What bombshell does Frazer drop on Augie about his wife and marriage when Augie runs into him at a cafe in Paris?

10. What job does Augie almost take working for Leon Trotsky?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While Augie is aboard the MacManus working for the Merchant Marines, he is one of two men who manage to live through the ship's sinking. Describe the way that Augie managed to save his life when all the other soldiers went down with the ship. Then, describe the way that Augie paid homage to the lives of the sailors lost at sea. To whom did he tell the sailor's stories? Finally, describe how Augie finally made it back to land after drifting in the water for days. What was Augie's emotional reaction to his homecoming? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

After Simon marries Charlotte, he has excess money to throw around. First, describe the way that Simon uses his money to manipulate his mother's life. Then, compare this to the way Simon uses his money to manipulate Georgie's life. Whose needs does Simon put first with his money, his family's needs or his own? How can you tell? Finally, describe the decline of Simon's marriage to Charlotte. How do Simon's spending habits affect his relationship with his wife? Be sure to include examples from the text to strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Augie's relationship with Simon is one that took many turns during their adult lives together. First, describe the relationship Augie had with his brother Simon when they were young. Then, describe how that relationship changed as both reached adulthood. Choose two moments that you believe were turning points in the relationship between Simon and Augie and describe them here. How did these moments lead to the state of the relationship between Augie and Simon when the novel came to a close?

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