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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 term is used to describe the chain reaction that happens within Anders's brain when the bullet hits a particular part of it?
(a) Frying.
(b) Crackling.
(c) Buzzing.
(d) Speeding.

2. What term is used to refer to the bone parts damaged by the bullet entering Anders's head?
(a) Knives.
(b) Shreds.
(c) Particles.
(d) Shards.

3. The narrator states that there is "gilt scrollwork" (26) over what feature of the bank?
(a) The tellers' cages.
(b) The gate to the vault.
(c) The front door.
(d) The entryway.

4. How many times does Anders apologize to the man with the pistol before repeating again the word the man had previously uttered?
(a) 4.
(b) 3.
(c) 2.
(d) 1.

5. What two adjectives are used to describe the smell Anders detects?
(a) Piercing and ammoniac.
(b) Pleasant and sweet.
(c) Ugly and noxious.
(d) Noxious and overwhelming.

Short Answer Questions

1. What action does Anders take in order to keep himself from laughing?

2. What kind of shoes is the man with the pistol wearing?

3. Who asks Anders whether he considers them "comical" (29)?

4. What object is stated to be much faster than the bullet speeding through Anders's head?

5. The man with the pistol offers to allow Anders to perform what type of favor for him?

Short Essay Questions

1. The man with the pistol wonders aloud if Anders views him in what way?

2. What specific reaction does Anders have to his vision of a cartoon bubble and how do you know?

3. Discuss an instance of irony within the story.

4. What goal does Anders have in mind when staring into the eyes of the man with the pistol?

5. What is Wolff's purpose for describing the eyes of the man with the pistol?

6. To what question does Anders answer, "No" in Paragraph 20 before he fights to maintain decorum?

7. Wolff compares the speeds of what two objects within Paragraph 35?

8. How many years ago had the event at the center of Anders's one witnessed memory taken place?

9. What appears to be the source of the man with the pistol's anger toward Anders?

10. What evidence is there to suggest that Anders does recognize positive aspects of even art he considers subpar?

(see the answer keys)

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