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What We Talk About When We Talk About Love | Quiz

Raymond Carver
This Study Guide consists of approximately 45 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love | Quiz

Students: Take our free What We Talk About When We Talk About Love quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

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Directions: Click on the correct answer.

1)

How does the old couple appear in the hospital? (from Summary)

They are unresponsive.
They appear overly happy and excited.
They appear to hate each other.
They are encased in body casts.
2)

According to the author, what is the ultimate conclusion about the meaning of love? (from Analysis)

It does not exist.
It remains elusive.
It can only be felt by the elderly.
It is fully understood by all characters.
3)

Why is Mel hesitant to call? (from Summary)

He does not want to talk to his ex-wife.
They haven't heard from him in several years.
He doesn't want them to know he is drunk.
He doesn't want his current wife to feel left out.
4)

Who turns on a light in the room? (from Summary)

Nick.
Mel.
Terri.
No one.
5)

What does Terri say she will bring out for everyone to nibble on? (from Summary)

Pizza.
Bruschetta.
Cheese and crackers.
Homemade cookies.
6)

Who can be said to be Mel's foil in this story? (from Analysis)

Laura.
Nick.
Terri.
Ed.
7)

Over what length of time does this story take place? (from Analysis)

Two days.
About thirty minutes.
One week.
One evening.
8)

Which character is encouraged by the end of the story? (from Analysis)

Laura.
Mel.
No one.
Terri.
9)

What literary device does the author use in portraying Mel's difficulty in understanding love despite his profession? (from Analysis)

Emulation.
Symbolism.
Anastrophe.
Irony.
10)

What does Mel's wife hope will happen to his ex-wife? (from Summary)

She will fall in love with Mel all over again.
She will move to another country.
She will remarry or die.
She will pay him back alimony and child support.
11)

What is the tone in the beginning of Mel's story about the old couple? (from Analysis)

Humorous.
Sad.
Peaceful.
Serious.
12)

Which of the following literary techniques does the author use in comparing Mel's profession with the topic of conversation? (from Analysis)

Symbolism.
Foreshadowing.
Imagery.
Alliteration.
13)

Who asks for something to eat before dinner? (from Summary)

Mel.
Laura.
Terri.
Nick.
14)

In which part of the story does the narrator mention where the characters are from? (from Analysis)

In the beginning.
In the middle.
The narrator does not mention it at all.
In the final paragraph.
15)

What does Terri suggest Mel do to make himself feel better? (from Summary)

Call his parents.
Have a drink.
Go to bed.
Take medication.
16)

As Carver's story progresses, how do Mel and Terri's attitudes toward each other change? (from Analysis)

They become more hostile toward each other.
They become more polite to each other.
They are indifferent toward each other.
They fall more in love.
17)

According to the author, where are the characters from? (from Analysis)

Somewhere else.
The same place.
The East Coast.
A foreign land.
18)

What effect may the alcohol have had on everyone besides Mel? (from Analysis)

They may have had a spike in blood sugar.
They may have realized how ridiculous their ideas are.
They may have become more inhibited.
They may have started to feel sick.
19)

When the author uses the term 'universal', to what is he referring? (from Analysis)

The romance present in relationships.
The stages of love.
The use of song to make people feel better.
Marriage.
20)

How many purposes does the alcohol serve in this story? (from Analysis)

None.
Two.
Five.
It is unclear.
21)

What are Mel and the other characters able to talk about after they loosen up? (from Analysis)

Secret fantasies.
Health problems.
Their career goals.
Real love.
22)

How is the topic of love broached? (from Analysis)

Mel starts talking about it.
Laura's children ask about it.
Terri has a dream about love.
The characters are reading the same book.
23)

What does Mel attempt to do to the topic of love? (from Analysis)

Talk badly about it.
Make it humorous.
Dissect it.
Avoid it.
24)

Why might point of view play a role in how Mel's relationship is perceived by the reader? (from Analysis)

Point of view does not play a significant role in the story.
The story is told from Mel's point of view, so the reader only understands his relationship.
The narrator may feel negatively toward Mel's relationship, thereby influencing the reader's opinion.
The narrator is neutral toward Mel's relationship, allowing for free interpretation by the reader.
25)

What happens immediately after the story of the old couple is over? (from Summary)

No one speaks.
The fire alarm goes off.
The wine bottle crashes to the floor.
One of the couples decides to get a divorce.
Copyrights
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love from BookRags and Gale's For Students Series. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.
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