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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. The doctor would like to be present for the baby's __________________.
(a) first birthday party.
(b) circumcision.
(c) christening.
(d) autopsy.

2. What does the person in #54 give Bird before he leaves?
(a) A bottle of whiskey.
(b) Books.
(c) A baby gift.
(d) Money.

3. What did Bird do the summer after he got married?
(a) Took French lessons.
(b) Stayed drunk for four weeks.
(c) Built a house.
(d) Traveled to Africa.

4. Where does Bird wake up in Chapter 5?
(a) Himiko's apartment.
(b) The hospital.
(c) His apartment.
(d) His wife's bedside.

5. Hamiko gives Bird advice on ____________________.
(a) passing the bar exam.
(b) dealing with a hangover.
(c) getting a good apartment.
(d) frugal travel.

Short Answer Questions

1. What puts Bird in a good mood?

2. When Bird catches a glimpse of Himiko's naked body, he ___________________________.

3. How does Bird get to the hospital?

4. Who is the central character of the book?

5. Bird and Himiko reminisce about ____________________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What seems to exaggerate Bird's feelings of inadequacy at the arcade?

2. What does Bird observe when he visits his father-in-law at the university?

3. What does Bird's father-in-law give to Bird during the visit and why is this an unlikely offering given Bird's troubles with addiction?

4. What is Bird doing at the beginning of A PERSONAL MATTER? What is going on with Bird's wife and how does Bird think his life will soon change?

5. At what stage is Bird in his journey of personal transformation at this point?

6. Waking up sick with a hangover, what does Bird think might serve as partial restitution for the baby's dire situation?

7. What does Bird notice about the women watching from the windows of the maternity hospital?

8. How does Bird's thoughts about his child as a war hero show what Bird really feels about the journey ahead for the child and himself?

9. How does the doctor exhibit insensitivity toward Bird about the baby on the way to the hospital?

10. Where does Bird go after leaving his father-in-law's office?

(see the answer keys)

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