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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. How are the interviews in Chapter 14 described?

2. What are Desk Names, as defined in Chapter 18?

3. In Chapter 13, what does the character try to attribute his sweating to?

4. In Chapter 9, what does the author say was once pitted against efficacy?

5. Why is Lane outside of the office in Chapter 16?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 10, how does the author explain the existence of the bureaucratic systems he describes?

2. Why does Wallace have to watch the interviews in Chapter 14?

3. In Chapter 9, what does the author say about the first few pages of any book?

4. What makes Chapter 4 different from Chapters 1-3?

5. In Chapter 9, what does the author say is wrong with his publisher?

6. In Chapter 5, what has happened to the boy's mother?

7. In the beginning of this novel, how does Claude feel about his job?

8. What makes Claude happy in Chapter 2?

9. In Chapter 13, why does the main character pay attention to the way he sits?

10. What types of information does the author provide via interview in Chapter 14?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the author's commentary on government in "The Pale King". What is the preferred relationship between government and citizen? What is the relationship between government and government employee?

Essay Topic 2

How do characters remain the same as they age? How do they change? Compare and contrast the characters who change vs. those who remain the same. What message does this deliver about childhood and the transition into adulthood?

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of interview in "The Pale King"? Consider the interviews conducted with tax payers, IRS employees and people wishing to become IRS employees. What message is conveyed about the interviewing process?

(see the answer keys)

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