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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How many "substantial lines" does the intern do "in quick succession" (185) in an attempt to impress the unnamed narrator at the party?
(a) 3.
(b) 4.
(c) 5.
(d) 2.

2. How does the unnamed narrator react to holding pieces of a sculpture?
(a) He cries.
(b) He laughs.
(c) He is silent.
(d) He is disgusted.

3. How many active members belong to the food co-op where the unnamed narrator meets Noor?
(a) 15,000.
(b) 10,000.
(c) 2,500.
(d) 5,000.

4. From what type of establishment does the unnamed narrator buy his groceries throughout his residency in Texas?
(a) A supermarket.
(b) An organic grocery store.
(c) A gas station.
(d) A farmers' market.

5. The distinguished female author and the unnamed narrator both order what dish?
(a) Foie gras.
(b) Scallops.
(c) Filet mignon.
(d) Pheasant.

6. To what hospital does the unnamed narrator go at the beginning of Part Three?
(a) El Camino Hospital.
(b) Kaiser-Permanente Hospital.
(c) St. Christopher Hospital.
(d) New-York Presbyterian Hospital.

7. Who pays the whole bill for everyone's dinner at Cochineal in Part Four?
(a) The unnamed narrator.
(b) Diane.
(c) Monika.
(d) The intern.

8. The unnamed narrator tells the distinguished female author at dinner that which of his body fluids is "abnormal" (121)?
(a) Urine.
(b) Blood.
(c) Semen.
(d) Saliva.

9. What word does the unnamed narrator use to describe Alena's fourth-floor apartment?
(a) Infinitesimal.
(b) Huge.
(c) Tiny.
(d) Giant.

10. Noor tells the unnamed narrator that her late father had shared a "strong sense" of what kind of "identity" (99) with her?
(a) Lebanese.
(b) Iranian.
(c) Chilean.
(d) Cuban.

11. While the unnamed narrator is at the bookstore, he runs into an acquaintance who invites him to a private showing of which artist's work?
(a) Lichtenstein.
(b) Warhol.
(c) Mondrian.
(d) Judd.

12. About what subject does the unnamed narrator pontificate when the intern begs him to speak aloud?
(a) The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.
(b) The qualities of the equator.
(c) Pluto's demoted status.
(d) The spawning of salmon.

13. When the unnamed narrator and the distinguished female author hit it off at the literary dinner, what dessert do they share?
(a) Peach pie.
(b) Tiramisu.
(c) Chocolate crickets.
(d) A chocolate tart.

14. How many minutes of the unnamed narrator's shift at the co-op passes during Noor's story?
(a) 30.
(b) 90.
(c) 45.
(d) 60.

15. During the unnamed narrator's residency, he must have what objects mailed to his temporary address in Texas?
(a) His agent's notes.
(b) Tax forms.
(c) Medications.
(d) Literary contracts.

Short Answer Questions

1. When the unnamed narrator attends a party in Part Four, he finds that the guests in the kitchen are different from the other guests in what way?

2. How do Alena and Peter react to the unnamed narrator's response to the art in Alena's apartment?

3. The unnamed narrator brings a single book written by which author along with him for the period of his residency?

4. What does the unnamed narrator describe in his comments at Columbia's School of Arts as the "shadow language to Reagan's official narrative processing of the national tragedy" (114)?

5. Which element of the physical world never gives the unnamed narrator a "little thrill" (107)?

(see the answer keys)

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