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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 happens when Victor visits the nude beach in Crete?

2. What type of cuisine does Sean invite Paul out for?

3. According to the rumors, what does Sara plan to do about her pregnancy?

4. What year of school is Steve in?

5. What nationality is Sean's roommate Bertrand?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lauren react when she is approached by the freshman, Steve, at The Commons?

2. What type of relationship does Lauren have with her parents?

3. What type of mysterious letters are being dropped in Sean's mailbox, and who does he think the letters are from?

4. How does Sean react when Paul meets him to apologize for missing their date?

5. What happens when Paul invites Sean out for Mexican food?

6. What is the opening scene of the novel?

7. What is the significance of the quote "when the sun sets"?

8. How does Victor pass the time during his European vacation?

9. What connection does the drug addict Marc make to his addiction and JFK's assassination?

10. What does the mystery girl think is going to happen when she attends the "Dressed to Get Screwed" party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ellis depicts many of the young people in his novel as as sex-crazed drug addicts. Do you think this is a fair representation of youth culture? Why or why not? Do you think Ellis was being serious in his representation of youth or satirical? How can you tell?

Essay Topic 2

The relationship between Paul and Sean is certainly one of the most confusing in the novel. What discrepancies does the reader see in the two retellings of the relationship? Why do you think Ellis chooses to present the relationship between these men with confusion rather than straight narrative? Do you think this method of storytelling is effective? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

When Lauren breaks up with Sean, he tries a few very lame attempts to kill himself and tries to convince Lauren that his death is imminent at the Halloween party. First, describe the various suicide attempts that Sean tries after his break up with Lauren. How does the reader know that Sean is not serious about trying to end his own life? Then, describe Sean's outburst at the Halloween party after he sees Lauren dancing with another man. How does Lauren react to this violent outburst? What does Lauren's reaction tell the reader about her relationship with Sean?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 960 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample