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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The man with the pistol tells Anders that if Anders takes what action, the man will dole out a consequence?

2. One element in the chain reaction happening within Anders's brain is named as "ion" (35) what?

3. What adjective is used to describe the ceiling of the bank?

4. In what manner does Anders perform a particular action "through his fingers" (34)?

5. What verb is used to describe the movement of Anders's bones after a bullet enters his skull?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What event causes Anders to imagine a cartoon bubble and what does it say?

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

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

7. What factors lead to the memory from "forty years past" (35) being called up rather than another memory?

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

9. What season and time of day are portrayed within Anders's one witnessed memory?

10. What is the overall subject of the mural painted upon the bank's ceiling?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a critical essay about "Bullet in the Brain" while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the story's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the short story.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Wolff’s story from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the instances of irony within the narrative of "Bullet in the Brain" and analyze Wolff's purpose for including each instance you discuss.

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