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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. Where is Judge Wapter's wife from?

2. Who does Nathan's father seek out for advice on Nathan's short story?

3. What does Nathan's family eat at Sunday brunch?

4. What does Chaya mean?

5. Who is the man that the narrator is going to visit in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Zuckerman contact Lonoff?

2. What is surprising to Zuckerman about the typewriter in Lonoff's study?

3. How does Zuckerman convince Lonoff to meet with him?

4. Why does Lonoff ask Zuckerman to call him Manny?

5. What does Zuckerman tell Lonoff when he asks Zuckerman about his life in Chapter 1?

6. Why does Zuckerman read Henry James' "The Middle Years" twice in one night?

7. What is Zuckerman carrying in his briefcase that he takes to Lonoff's house?

8. Why does Zuckerman begin writing down the names of everything on Lonoff's bookshelves in his study?

9. Why is Zuckerman surprised when Lonoff says nothing happens to him during their conversation in Chapter 1?

10. What response does Zuckerman get when he mentions Lonoff's name at a publishing party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of identity is prevalent throughout the story - from Zuckerman looking to form his identity as a writer to Amy finding her identity as a student. Write a response exploring the theme of identity in the story as presented by the main characters. What is an identity? What types of identities are presented in the story? Use specific examples from the text in the response.

Essay Topic 2

"The Ghost Writer" is the first in Roth's series of Zuckerman books. Write a response explaining how this book sets up and prepares the reader for the res of the books in the Zuckerman series. What happens in this book that might foreshadow future books' events? How does Roth prepare the reader to continue Zuckerman's story in subsequent books? Use specific references to the text in the response.

Essay Topic 3

In "The Ghost Writer," Roth uses the theme of the importance and role of family. What role does family play for each main character (Amy, Lonoff, Hope, Zuckerman)? How is each characters' family portrayed? How do the characters' families influence the book's plot? Use specific references to the story in the response.

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