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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. Whose death prompted Sonny to start using drugs?
(a) His sister's.
(b) His father's.
(c) His mother's.
(d) His brother's.

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

3. 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's daughter.
(b) Emily.
(c) Emily's boss.
(d) No one stands up for Willi.

4. How do the school children respond to John Williams when he joins their school?
(a) They ignore him.
(b) They adore him.
(c) They hate him.
(d) They fear him.

5. What act of affection do Lewis and Arty share before Arty leaves his father alone in the hospital?
(a) They shake hands.
(b) They hug.
(c) They do not touch before Arty leaves.
(d) They kiss on the cheeks.

Short Answer Questions

1. What news does Arty receive about his father on the first day he visits him in the mental institution?

2. In what year was the latest story in this collection published?

3. In the story "The Amish Farmer," why does Noel drive off the road in Amish country?

4. To what does Willi compare his household life after accidentally witnessing his mother having sexual relations?

5. What is the name of Noel's wife in the story "The Amish Farmer"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What part about Arty's life made him feel like a "Bystander"?

2. What type of relationship do George and Lenore have in the story "Weekend"?

3. What is Carlyle's life like at the opening of the story "Fever"?

4. What is Earl's first impression of the town Rock Springs?

5. What interesting behavior does Damaso exhibit while in town in the story "The Fisherman From Chihuahua"?

6. Why has Earl taken to the road in "Rock Springs" and who does he take with him?

7. What reason does Raymond Carver give about why he wanted to compose this collection of short stories?

8. Why does Daniel aggressively attack Noel in the story "The Amish Farmer"?

9. What types of authors did Jenks and Carver seek to publish in this short story collection?

10. Who is Push in the story "A Poetic for Bullies," and who is his sidekick?

(see the answer keys)

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