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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. Where did Raymond Carver earn his Bachelor of Arts degree?
(a) Oregon State University
(b) University of Nevada, Reno
(c) Evergreen State University
(d) Humboldt State College

2. Where is McConnell A.F.B. located?
(a) Georgia
(b) New Jersey
(c) Kansas
(d) California

3. What is the blind man’s answer when the narrator’s wife asks if he has a TV?
(a) They annoy me
(b) I have never seen a TV in my life
(c) I prefer the radio
(d) My dear, I have two TVs

4. The blind man comments to the narrator as he draw the cathedral, “What’s a cathedral without” what?
(a) Prayers
(b) People
(c) Priests
(d) Pews

5. Along what river does the narrator describe the train going on the route from his home to New York?
(a) The Hudson River
(b) The Green River
(c) The Niagara River
(d) The Snake River

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the narrator say about his and his wife’s sleeping patterns in the story?

2. As the narrator continues his drawing of the cathedral, he comments near the end of the story, “His fingers rode my fingers as my hand went over the paper. It was like” what?

3. The narrator surmises of the blind man’s wife that she could wear what in her nostril and it wouldn’t make a difference?

4. What is the name of the blind man’s wife who recently passed away in the story?

5. What word from the story means large and heavy-looking?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the central imagery employed in the story? How is it employed?

2. How is the theme of creativity manifested through the protagonist at the end of the story?

3. What activity does the blind man suggest to the narrator during their discussion about cathedrals?

4. How is the narrator’s “blind drawing” experience described?

5. What does the narrator offer to Robert after his wife passes out? How does Robert respond?

6. How does the narrator’s wife suggest the narrator act toward Robert when he visits?

7. What is Robert’s response when the narrator offers him marijuana after dinner? What is his experience with the drug?

8. Where in the story do you see the first elements of transformation in the protagonist?

9. What takes place in the story as it builds to its climax?

10. How does the author describe his wife’s poetry in “Cathedral”?

(see the answer keys)

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