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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Karl realizes that he is going to be fired despite two months of exemplary work, what does he realize is true about life?
(a) Outside forces beyond our control are often more powerful than our good intentions.
(b) It is impossible to be perfect forever, regardless of how hard you are willing to try.
(c) It is just when you become sure of yourself that your attention slips and disaster occurs.
(d) When you make a mistake, people often fail to consider the merit you have shown in the past.

2. What prevents Karl from escaping when he is sent inside to prepare Brunelda's bed for the night?
(a) Karl does not know how to get out of the building.
(b) The apartment door is locked.
(c) Robinson is asleep in front of the door.
(d) Delamarche goes inside and keep watch.

3. What is the primary focus of the text's description of the scenery that Karl and his companions first travel through during their walk?
(a) Color, smells, and sound.
(b) Poverty and pollution.
(c) Angry, impatient people.
(d) Vehicles in motion.

4. What information do Karl's first remarks to Delamarche and Robinson unintentionally give away?
(a) He is sociable and genuinely interested in other people.
(b) He is naive and may have resources they can take advantage of.
(c) He is a recent German immigrant with few prospects in life.
(d) He is polite and easy-going and will be no trouble to share a room with.

5. When asked by the head cook, what age does Karl claim to be?
(a) 19.
(b) 15.
(c) 17.
(d) 21.

6. What job did Therese perform so well that she caught the head cook's attention and was offered the job of secretary?
(a) Taking inventory.
(b) Bargaining with vendors.
(c) Lighting candles.
(d) Arranging napkins.

7. What do Karl's thoughts as he prepares to open his trunk for the first time in two months reveal about him?
(a) He does not fully understand how precarious his situation is.
(b) He is still a terrible judge of character.
(c) His love for his parents is stronger than his anger at them.
(d) His plans for the future are wildly unrealistic.

8. On the night that Robinson comes to the hotel, where is Rennel?
(a) In the dormitory.
(b) In a bar in Ramses.
(c) Working at his lift.
(d) With Delamarche.

9. From context clues, what can logically be inferred about what Brunelda's neighbor is studying?
(a) He is studying law.
(b) He is studying engineering.
(c) He is studying medicine.
(d) He is studying business.

10. What gossip starts to go around the Occidental about Rennel?
(a) He is engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a guest.
(b) He is about to be promoted to the hotel waitstaff.
(c) He is really the son of the hotel's owner.
(d) He is pilfering small items from guests' rooms.

11. What disappoints Karl about his new job?
(a) He cannot figure out how to polish the elevator brass as well as Rennel does.
(b) The only contact he has with the elevator's machinery is pushing a button.
(c) He is assigned to an elevator that does not serve the hotel's richer clients.
(d) The manual explicitly forbids sleeping in the elevator during slow hours.

12. What first prompted Delamarche to think of getting Karl to come work as Brunelda's servant?
(a) Rennel suggested it and explained how to get Karl fired.
(b) The apartment was getting too dirty.
(c) He found the photograph that he stole from Karl.
(d) Robinson threatened to quit if he did not get some help.

13. What comic detail is offered about the head porter's appearance?
(a) His clothing is so richly decorated that it makes it hard for him to move.
(b) His uniform hat is so tall that it is continually toppling from his head.
(c) His beard is so shiny with wax that it looks as if it is soaking wet.
(d) His ears stick out from the sides of his heads like teacup handles.

14. What does the other lift boy think will be the likely outcome of Karl's interview with the head waiter?
(a) He will be docked a day's wages.
(b) He will be transferred to another job.
(c) He will be forgiven and sent back to work.
(d) He will be fired.

15. If the plan to find jobs in Butterford does not work out, what does Robinson suggest they will need to do?
(a) Go back to New York and work for Jakob.
(b) Go to Chicago and work in a slaughterhouse.
(c) Go to Boston and find work on a fishing boat.
(d) Go to California and pan for gold.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Karl decide is the way to satisfy Brunelda and Delamarche?

2. At the hotel, what suggestion of Karl's causes Robinson to begin loudly weeping?

3. Why is the landlady so reluctant to give Karl and Robinson breakfast to take back to the apartment?

4. When Karl returns to Delamarche and Robinson after getting food at the hotel, what causes him to decide to separate from them and sleep in the hotel?

5. What lie does Robinson tell the police officer?

(see the answer keys)

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