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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. What does Claude decide to do regarding the intimate relationship that has developed between his mother and Al Johnson?
(a) Leave home.
(b) Support Al and his mother.
(c) Try to keep Al and his mother apart.
(d) Ignore the relationship.

2. Even though Peter's playing is basic and unspirited, why does Claude enjoy accompanying him?
(a) Because he can impress the famous musician who frequently observes the sessions.
(b) Because he is getting needed experience.
(c) Because he is near Catherine.
(d) Because he has a chance to talk to Mr. Fisk about Emma.

3. Why can't Mr. Weisfeld attend Claude's debut performance at the music festival?
(a) He has the flu.
(b) He is in a car accident.
(c) He falls and suffers a concussion.
(d) He has a family emergency.

4. What is Claude able to do now that he works in Mr. Weisfeld's music store?
(a) Afford his own necessities.
(b) Learn how to play other instruments.
(c) Buy a brand new piano.
(d) Practice whenever he wants.

5. After his first performance at the music festival, how many times will Claude have played in front of an audience?
(a) Two.
(b) One hundred.
(c) Ten.
(d) One.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Catherine treat Claude at the Bentley School dance?

2. How does Claude feel when he receives an invitation from Catherine Fisk to the Bentley School mixer?

3. What happens to the letter Claude sends to Catherine?

4. What is the Schoenberg twelve-tone system?

5. What movie particularly interests Claude because of its story line, which he relates to his life?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Claude's reaction to the growing relationship between his mother and Al Johnson?

2. How does Mr. Powers' investigation into Claude's past affect Claude?

3. What does Catherine Fisk's response to Claude's question about why she invited him to the Bentley School mixer tell us about her?

4. What do we learn about Claude as his life as a six-year-old is described?

5. When Claude learns about Mr. Weisfeld's life before he came to the United States, why does Claude feel guilty and irritated with himself?

6. What does Catherine Fisk tell Claude when he asks her why she invited him to the Bentley School mixer?

7. Why is Claude's friendship with Ivan Andrews an important relationship?

8. Why is driving a cab an unusual choice of work for Emma, Claude's mother?

9. How does Mr. Powers react to Claude's choice of career?

10. How does the time period during which the story begins explain Emma's job?

(see the answer keys)

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