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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the genre of the stories the editors chose for this collection?
(a) Science-fiction.
(b) Realism.
(c) Satire.
(d) Fantasy.

2. Who stands up for Willi Varig when he is too drunk to address the audience at the convention he had been hired to speak at?
(a) Emily.
(b) Emily's boss.
(c) Emily's daughter.
(d) No one stands up for Willi.

3. Which of the following facts is true about Eugene Kraft in "A Poetic for Bullies"?
(a) He drools when he speaks.
(b) He has a lazy eye.
(c) He walks with a limp.
(d) He has only one hand.

4. How are Sonny and the narrator related in "Sonny's Blues"?
(a) They are cousins.
(b) They are brothers.
(c) They are best friends.
(d) They are father and son.

5. How long had it been since the narrator saw Sonny before his arrest?
(a) Four years.
(b) Three years.
(c) One year.
(d) Two years.

6. From what country is the man who comes to the restaurant in Pendleton's town and eats alone?
(a) He is Columbian.
(b) He is Argentinean.
(c) He is Peruvian.
(d) He is Mexican.

7. How does Willi react when he hears his father beating his mother at night?
(a) He attacks his father.
(b) He does nothing.
(c) He phones the police.
(d) He shouts at his mother.

8. What country had John Williams been traveling in before settling in Push's neighborhood?
(a) France.
(b) England.
(c) India.
(d) Morocco.

9. Who is responsible for finding Mrs. Webster, Carlyle's future babysitter?
(a) Carlyle.
(b) Sarah.
(c) Eileen.
(d) Keith.

10. Who is the co-editor of this collection along with Tom Jenks?
(a) John Steinbeck.
(b) Junot Diaz.
(c) Ernest Hemingway.
(d) Raymond Carver.

11. In the story "The Amish Farmer," why does Noel drive off the road in Amish country?
(a) Because he took his eyes off the road.
(b) Because he slid during a storm.
(c) Because he swerved to miss a deer.
(d) Because he was avoiding potholes.

12. What were the doctors who took Sean's father away carrying?
(a) Syringes.
(b) Straight jackets.
(c) Folded blankets.
(d) Bandages.

13. At the opening of the story, how does Willi feel about his life?
(a) He is terrified by his life.
(b) He is bored by his life.
(c) He loves his life.
(d) He is confused in his life.

14. What school subject does Vance teach in the story "The Amish Farmer"?
(a) Science.
(b) History.
(c) English.
(d) Math.

15. How long does Mrs. Webster work for Carlyle before he notes a distinct change in his life?
(a) Two weeks.
(b) Eight weeks.
(c) Four weeks.
(d) Six weeks.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many people's lives did Willi help save thanks to his heroic efforts in WWII?

2. Which of the following adjectives best describes Vance's student, Katie Jay, in the story, "The Amish Farmer"?

3. Who died, prompting the narrator to contact Sonny?

4. Which of the following aspects of his children's lives does Sean obsessively worry about?

5. How many children does Carlyle have?

(see the answer keys)

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