View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To what is the sun in Australia compared through metaphor in the beginning of "The Mistake Maker"?
(a) A rocket.
(b) A Viking.
(c) A dragon.
(d) The Grim Reaper.

2. What is the title of Part 4 of the novel?
(a) "Cities + Waters + Bridges."
(b) "Cities + Waters + Criminals + Arches."
(c) "Cities + Arches."
(d) "Cities + Roads + Criminals + Waters."

3. Where did Clay find the scrap of paper with his father's address on it in "The Forces are Displayed"?
(a) In his car.
(b) In the attic.
(c) On his bed.
(d) In the recycling bin.

4. How did Michael propose to Penelope?
(a) He painted his proposal on her mirror.
(b) He got on his knee at a disco.
(c) He painted his proposal on her piano keys.
(d) He painted a proposal on canvas and placed it in her room.

5. How tall is the Murderer described as being in "Portrait of a Killer as a Middle-Aged Man"?
(a) 5'10".
(b) 6'2".
(c) 6'.
(d) 5'8".

Short Answer Questions

1. Who said to Michael Dunbar when he was trying to state why he came in "The Forces are Displayed," "For Christ's sake, spit the fucking thing out!" (78)?

2. What month was it when Penelope finally braved knocking at Michael's door for the first time?

3. At least how many children did Penelope tell Michael she wanted?

4. What name did Penelope die with, according to the narrator in "The Mistake Maker"?

5. When did the East German government announce that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin?

Short Essay Questions

1. How and why did Penelope purchase a piano?

2. How did Michael Dunbar first meet Abbey Hanley?

3. How did Penelope feel about emigrating from her childhood home? Why?

4. What is the symbolic significance of the "ol' TW" in the novel (149)?

5. Who/what is Moon and what does it represent?

6. Where is the Murderer when Matthew finds him in the house in Part 1? What is he doing?

7. How is the setting of The Surrounds described?

8. What is revealed in the letters Clay receives in Part 4?

9. What is the symbolic significance of Clay's lighter?

10. How and why did Penelope's father arrange for her to flee as a refugee?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 766 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample