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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In what field does Alena's friend Peter work?
(a) Accounting.
(b) Art.
(c) Literature.
(d) Marketing.

2. At what time of day does the unnamed narrator reach his residency house in Texas?
(a) Late morning.
(b) The middle of the night.
(c) Early morning.
(d) Late afternoon.

3. On the day the unnamed narrator ventures out to the Marfa Book Company, he has "gone more than" how many "weeks without really speaking to anyone" (175)?
(a) 6.
(b) 3.
(c) 4.
(d) 2.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. From what type of establishment does the unnamed narrator buy his groceries throughout his residency in Texas?

2. When the unnamed narrator attending the private showing of a particular artist's works, he says, "The works felt first and foremost like a" (179) what?

3. The unnamed narrator states in Part Four that he must have absolute quiet to engage in which activity?

4. What percentage of the unnamed narrator's bill at the hospital in Part Three is covered by his insurance?

5. What word does the unnamed narrator use to describe Alena's fourth-floor apartment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Michael and how does the unnamed narrator meet him?

2. Name three excuses the unnamed narrator uses when people ask to see him during his writers' residency.

3. How does the unnamed narrator react to holding the Jeff Koons balloon dog sculpture in Part Three and how do Alena and Peter react to his reaction?

4. The unnamed narrator finds himself working diligently in Texas, but "on the wrong thing" (170). What other piece does he work on instead?

5. What is the unnamed narrator's specific reason for feeling the way he does about the totaled art?

6. How does the unnamed narrator meet Noor?

7. How does the unnamed narrator end up at a party in Part Four?

8. What is "totaled art" (130) and how had Alena acquired some of it prior to the novel's opening?

9. How does the theme of fatherhood enter the narrative in Part Four?

10. How does Lerner use irony to portray the scene of the party depicted in Part Four?

(see the answer keys)

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