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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where does Styron spend his summers?
(a) On his farm in Connecticut.
(b) At Martha's Vineyard.
(c) In Florida.
(d) In Paris.

2. What does Gary reveal to Styron about the effect the death of his ex-wife had on him?
(a) He was afraid he would be suspected in her death.
(b) He began to suffer greatly from deep depression.
(c) He was afraid she had committed suicide.
(d) He finally felt free again.

3. According to Styron, how many women have won the Prix Mondial Cino del Duca award?
(a) More women than men.
(b) None.
(c) Only five.
(d) Twenty-five.

4. What did Styron's friend, Abbie Hoffman, do professionally?
(a) He was a political activist.
(b) He was Styron's psychiatrist.
(c) He was a family member so depressed that he had no profession.
(d) He was a fellow writer and philosopher.

5. What causes Styron to lose his voice in Paris?
(a) Screaming until he was hoarse.
(b) Bronchitis.
(c) Damp weather.
(d) Severe depression and resulting lethargy.

6. Who arranges a meeting between Albert Camus and Styron?
(a) William Styron.
(b) Rose Styron.
(c) Cino del Duco
(d) Romain Gary.

7. What is the term Styron uses to better describe what is happening to a person with depression?
(a) A blue funk.
(b) Mourning for loss.
(c) A weak psyche.
(d) A brain storm.

8. How old was Styron when he published his first novel?
(a) 40.
(b) 35.
(c) Mid-20's.
(d) 15.

9. What do Styron's companions notice about him?
(a) He is disoriented.
(b) That he appears not to feel well.
(c) He is very sleepy.
(d) He is angry at his friends.

10. According to Styron, what is between Gaelic and Americana?
(a) The restaurant he went to after getting his award.
(b) The French bidet.
(c) His memoir.
(d) Paris museums.

11. What drugs does Styron's doctor give him that are NOT recommended for people with depression?
(a) Halcion and Ativan.
(b) Penicillin and Halcion.
(c) Prozac and Ativan.
(d) Halcion and Ibuprofen.

12. What reaction to the op-ed piece causes Styron to decide to write this memoir?
(a) His editor asked him to write the memoir.
(b) The number of people reacting positively causes him to think sharing his experiences would be beneficial.
(c) People indicated they just didn't understand depression.
(d) He learned his piece had saved someone's life, so wanted to reach out with more information.

13. What clues does Gary reveal that Styron later learns was probably signs of deep depression?
(a) Constant weepiness.
(b) Lack of cohesive thought.
(c) Shaky hands and weak, quiet voice.
(d) Withdrawal from friendships.

14. What is Styron not able to recover?
(a) His fame.
(b) His family.
(c) His lucidity.
(d) His friendships.

15. Right before the onset of his depression, Styron begins to suffer from what?
(a) Extreme joy.
(b) Hypochondria.
(c) Lack of sexual interest.
(d) Excessive sleepiness.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Styron say about alcohol's mood-altering characteristics?

2. What three factors does Styron name as contributing to depression?

3. What does Styron say the award he received should have done for him?

4. Which group of people have more incidence of depression than all others?

5. According to Styron, who wrote about depression and seemed to really understand it?

(see the answer keys)

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