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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. How long is the blind man staying with the narrator and his wife in the story?
(a) 1 night
(b) 3 nights
(c) 10 nights
(d) 6 nights

2. What beverage does the blind man drink with his dinner in the story?
(a) Milk
(b) Coffee
(c) Water
(d) Tea

3. Where does the narrator’s wife fall asleep after they’ve smoked marijuana?
(a) In the chair
(b) On the floor
(c) On the couch
(d) In the bathtub

4. The narrator says in the beginning of the story that the last time his wife saw the blind man was when she worked for him in what city?
(a) Portland
(b) Denver
(c) Seattle
(d) Birmingham

5. For how many years were the blind man and his wife married before her health went rapidly in decline?
(a) 13
(b) 8
(c) 5
(d) 3

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the central motifs in “Cathedral”?

2. How does the narrator describe the blind man’s facial hair?

3. The narrator finds a pen for the blind man where in his house?

4. In what year was “Cathedral” chosen to appear in The Best American Short Stories?

5. When the blind man appears to snooze during his conversation with the narrator, the narrator assumes that perhaps he’s imagining himself where?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the narrator attempt to describe a cathedral to Robert?

2. What does the narrator discuss with Robert after his arrival in the story?

3. How does the narrator’s wife describe Robert’s marriage prior to his arrival in the story?

4. What happened to the narrator’s wife during the years that she did not see the blind man? How did she maintain contact with Robert?

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

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

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

8. How does the narrator describe Robert’s arrival in the story?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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