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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 is the narrator’s response when his wife asks as she comes downstairs, “What do I smell?”
(a) We thought we’d have us some cannabis
(b) I don’t smell anything
(c) I needed a cigarette
(d) Just incense my dear

2. When the narrator’s wife first contacted the blind man after working for him, she called him from what facility?
(a) An Air Force Base
(b) A train station
(c) A Navy Base
(d) A hospital

3. Exasperated by his inability to explain a cathedral to the blind man, the narrator apologizes and says, “The truth is, cathedrals don’t mean” what to him?
(a) The world
(b) Anything special
(c) Success
(d) Godliness

4. The narrator describes his legs as feeling as though he’s just done what when he gets up to look for a pen and paper?
(a) Some running
(b) Some sit-ups
(c) Some swimming
(d) Some pushups

5. What does the narrator suggest to his wife he could do when the blind man comes to visit, causing her exasperation?
(a) He could take him to church
(b) He could take him to a ballgame
(c) He could invite him to the opera
(d) He could take him bowling

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the narrator say he felt about their old sofa (that they replaced) when the blind man arrives?

2. What does the narrator do when the blind man says after the drawing is complete, “Take a look. What do you think?”

3. What word from the story refers to a tall, acutely pointed pyramidal roof or roof-like construction upon a tower?

4. What is playing on the television as the narrator’s wife exits upstairs in the story?

5. What drink does the blind man ask for when the narrator offers him one after his arrival?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

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

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

6. What does the reader learn about the narrator when he and his wife discuss their friends prior to the blind man’s arrival?

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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