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

2. The blind man tells the narrator as he continues his drawing of the cathedral, “You got it, bub. I can tell. You didn’t think you could. But you can, can’t you? You’re cooking with” what?
(a) Dry tinder
(b) Grease
(c) Gas now
(d) Charcoal

3. What does the narrator tell the blind man regarding the strength of the marijuana they are smoking?
(a) It is the best he’s ever smoked
(b) That it is about average
(c) It is extremely weak
(d) That it is mild

4. The narrator says that the “was having a drink and” doing what when he “heard the car pull into the drive” with his wife and the blind man?
(a) Doing a crossword puzzle
(b) Watching TV
(c) Reading the paper
(d) Listening to the radio

5. What does the narrator say his wife writes one or two of every year?
(a) Short stories
(b) Novels
(c) Poems
(d) Essays

Short Answer Questions

1. How long is the blind man staying with the narrator and his wife in the story?

2. Travis A.F.B. is described as being near what city in the short story?

3. How does the narrator describe the blind man’s shoulders after his arrival?

4. By what familyar nickname does the blind man call the narrator?

5. What does the blind man remark about the narrator’s television set, saying, “Don’t ask me how, but I can tell”?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where in “Cathedral” does the climax of the narrative take place?

2. What does the narrator ask Robert regarding cathedrals in the story? Why? How does Robert respond?

3. How does the narrator describe Robert’s eyes in the story?

4. How is the theme of alienation illustrated through the protagonist in the story?

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

6. How does the narrator’s wife respond when he turns on the television? What conversation ensues?

7. What is the narrator’s prayer before dinner? How is the dinner described by the narrator?

8. How does the narrator describe his experience in the final lines of the story?

9. How is the theme of creativity illustrated through the protagonist in the beginning of “Cathedral”?

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

(see the answer keys)

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