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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 does Richard find on the table in Henry's apartment on Thursday morning after the group has been missing for four days?

2. For what does Richard ask his supervisor at his job?

3. What do the twins send Richard during winter break?

4. What does the group tell Bunny happened to cause them to return home blood-covered the night of the bacchanal?

5. What are the two things Richard and his parents always fight about?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Richard goes to meet with Julian to talk to him about misgivings he is having about his academics, who does he find talking with Julian? What are the two saying?

2. From whom does Richard get the extra money he needs to implement his plan to impress Prof. Morrow and the Greeks studies students? What does the lender think Richard is going to do with the money? What does Richard actually do with the money?

3. What does Richard learn his friends have done? How does he react?

4. Who is dead at the opening of the book? Why does the author begin his story this way? What do we know about the dead boy in the opening paragraphs of the book?

5. Richard engages in risky behavior for winter living, and his life begins to deteriorate. Why does this happen to Richard? Is he aware of the dangerous living situation he is in? Why does Richard refuse to ask for help?

6. Who rescues Richard and nurses him back to health? How do these two people get along with each other? What are some of the things Richard learns about his Greek classmates during his recuperation? Why are these things important for Richard?

7. Where do Henry and Bunny go for winter break? Why does Henry come home early? Where is Bunny?

8. Charles and Camilla tell Richard about Henry's education. What does Richard learn about Henry in this conversation? Why is he surprised?

9. What do Francis and Henry tell Richard about Bunny's behavior since the murder? How is Bunny treating the members of the group, and how are they responding?

10. What surprises Richard when he enters the Greek class on the Monday after learning of Henry's plans to leave the country with Francis, Camilla and Charles? What surprises him even further when he asks Henry about what has been going on?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Richard defines his fatal flaw as "a morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs." What does he mean by this? Is he correct? Support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

In the first chapter, Richard explains had he remained in California, he "might have ended up in a cult." How important is the statement to the story? Explain how this statement is an example of the use of irony in a novel.

Essay Topic 3

"It was the most important night of my life. It enabled me to do what I've always wanted to do, to live without thinking." Which character says this, and why? What does he mean?

(see the answer keys)

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