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Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Eventually, Babette will teach a class in sitting, standing and what other activity?
2. What game does Heinrich play with someone in prison?
3. What is his opponent in jail for?
4. Which language does Bee speak a little of?
5. The closest airport to Blacksmith is near what city?
Short Essay Questions
1. Heinrich is playing chess with someone through letters. Describe his opponent.
2. Why does the chancellor suggest that Jack should change his persona, and what does he suggest?
3. What does Bee claim about the conflict between her mother and stepfather?
4. What is the mood of the family when they are shopping at the mall?
5. Why does Bee say that the people who crash landed went through a bad experience for nothing?
6. Describe how Murray interacts with Jack and Babette at the supermarket.
7. Who makes up the group of teachers in the pop culture department?
8. Jack opens up Chapter 20 by listing various people's deaths and talking about how they died. Name one of them, and describe why you think Jack is listing them.
9. Describe the student body of the College-on-the-Hill.
10. Why is the chair of the department of American environments (the pop-culture department) opposed to Murray's establishment of Elvis studies?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
DeLillo's plot/conflict structure can be considered an innovation. Describe how he advanced the plot/story events, developed the conflict and brought it to a climax. Would you consider it innovative? Why or why not? Be sure to offer specific examples that address both form and content.
Essay Topic 2
Image is important on television, as well as in this novel. Describe how these characters create and project persona and identities that may not be entirely their own. Students should write an analysis of the issue of image and manufactured image in terms of at least one major character (such as Jack, Babette or Murray) and at least one minor character (Howard Waldrop, Winnie Richards, Willie Minks, etc.).
Essay Topic 3
These characters are preoccupied, and maybe even obsessed, with their own deaths. Compare and contrast Jack's obsession with his mortality and Babette's obsession with hers. Write an essay that details the ways their fear of death are similar and how they are different. Be sure to describe specific instances in the novel and how the reader comes to understand each.
This section contains 860 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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