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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 kind of classics does Howie like to read?

2. Howie compares the sunlight landing on parts of the office lobby to __________.

3. Howie compares the grooves on the escalator steps to those one __________.

4. What product in the CVS does Howie consider to reflect different social cultures?

5. At age twenty-five, what percentage of Howie's thoughts are adult?

Short Essay Questions

1. What observations does Howie make about his Revere saucepan?

2. What are Howie's reflections on the overall safety of escalators?

3. What observations does Howie make about vending machines?

4. What causes Howie to consider the intentions of the inventors of the escalator?

5. What is Howie's dilemma in the men's bathroom?

6. How does Howie demonstrate that he enjoys thinking about finances?

7. What does Howie notice as he rushes out the revolving door and onto the plaza for his lunch break?

8. What does Abe jokingly claim to Howie while they talk in the men's room?

9. How can Howie reach a majority of adult thoughts?

10. Why does Howie eventually stop trying to walk up or down the escalator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of the innate philosopher in everyone and how it resonates throughout the book.

Essay Topic 2

Has Baker achieved a literary work of profound complexity or is "The Mezzanine" a trivial novel, completely lacking in plot? Explain your view based on evidence in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

What is the symbolic significance of both the shoelaces and how Howie resolves the mystery of the shoelace breakage?

(see the answer keys)

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