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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What activity other than tennis does Wallace cite as using geometry?
(a) Swimming.
(b) Billiards.
(c) Darts.
(d) Video games.

2. Why do the students disagree with their professor in "E Unibus Pluram"?
(a) They believe writing is better when it's not time specific.
(b) They believe their professor is always right.
(c) They believe all writing must take place in a specific time.
(d) They believe writing should be composed primarily of historical references.

3. Why can't Wallace watch the car race?
(a) It's too long.
(b) It's too noisy.
(c) It's not entertaining.
(d) It's too dangerous.

4. Why does Wallace admire Lynch?
(a) He's a great director.
(b) He's a good comedian.
(c) He's a loyal friend.
(d) He's loyal to his artistic vision.

5. In Hix's argument, "Morte d'Author," American post-structuralists argue what about authors?
(a) The definition is wrong.
(b) The concept has some validity.
(c) There are too few.
(d) The concept isn't important.

6. Wallace's thesis is that irony and ridicule are simultaneously entertaining and _______.
(a) Enlightening.
(b) Confusing.
(c) Intelligent.
(d) Disparaging.

7. Why does Wallace see the baton twirling competition as dangerous?
(a) Because they throw the batons into the crowd.
(b) Because they twirl blindfolded.
(c) Because the batons are on fire.
(d) Because they twirl very fast.

8. What television show does Wallace compare the cloggers to?
(a) "The Real World."
(b) "The Beverly Hillbillies."
(c) "Survivor."
(d) "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

9. Why is Wallace able to get into the desert competition at the state fair?
(a) He bribes someone.
(b) They think he's from a different magazine.
(c) They need more participants.
(d) There is no ID check.

10. What does Wallace attribute his tennis success to?
(a) Sun.
(b) Wind.
(c) Emotions.
(d) God.

11. Post-structuralists believe that although the historical context can aid a text, much of it really depends on what?
(a) The reader.
(b) The length.
(c) The hype.
(d) The language.

12. What movie does Wallace specifically cite that is directly influenced by "Blue Velvet"?
(a) "Reservoir Dogs."
(b) "Six Degrees of Separation."
(c) "Titanic."
(d) "Avatar."

13. Wallace studied Mathematics in college because the straight lines reminded him of what?
(a) The grids of sudoku.
(b) The windows of skyscrapers.
(c) His dreams.
(d) Lines of Midwestern geography.

14. What does Wallace speculate Lynch doesn't intend for "Lost Highway"?
(a) For it to impact anyone.
(b) For it to make sense.
(c) For it to win an award.
(d) For it to be successful.

15. What does Wallace observe about people dancing at a rock concert?
(a) They're dirty.
(b) They're can't dance.
(c) They're too old to be dancing.
(d) They're not having as much fun as cloggers.

Short Answer Questions

1. While on the set of "Lost Highway," why does Wallace rarely see Lynch?

2. By the end of the state fair, what has Wallace realized about the purpose of fairs?

3. What does Wallace believe is the only way for an individual to define "Lynchian"?

4. At the beginning of "E Unibus Pluram," what does Wallace describe fiction writers as enjoying?

5. After "Dune," why did Lynch begin to work on smaller projects?

(see the answer keys)

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