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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. During what month of the year did Lauren first cheat on her boyfriend, Victor?

2. Why does Lauren have sex with Judy's boyfriend?

3. What project is Lauren working on in her art studio?

4. What is the name of the girl Sean is most attracted to?

5. Who comes running into Paul's room exclaiming that Henry just tried to kill himself?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Lauren feel guilty about having sex with Franklin at a party?

3. How does Sean react when he is turned down for sex by Roxanne at a party?

4. What happens when the unnamed narrator of the novel decides that she would like to lose her virginity?

5. According to Sean's perspective of the evening, what happens when he leaves the party and goes back to Paul's house?

6. What is the reaction of friends when word spreads that Tim has gotten Sara pregnant?

7. What is the opening scene of the novel?

8. Why is Paul hesitant to meet his mother in Boston when she requests a visit?

9. What event prevents Paul from meeting Sean for their "date"?

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

At the end of the novel, Sean seems to have learned nothing from experience and does not seem to have matured. Is there any character in the novel who seems to have learned from past mistakes? Support your answer with specific details from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

When Paul hears that his parents are getting divorced, he has two reactions: an initial reaction and a delayed reaction. First, describe the two reactions Paul has to the news of the divorce. Why do you think his reactions differ so greatly? Then, explain how the news of his parents' divorce affects the way Paul views the romances in his own life? Do you think the news of his parents' divorce muddles Paul's view of love or gives him greater clarity? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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