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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 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 pushups
(c) Some sit-ups
(d) Some swimming

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

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

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

5. What term refers to the portion of a story that introduces the important background information, such as the narrator’s descriptions of his wife’s history with the blind man in “Cathedral”?
(a) Climax
(b) Rising action
(c) Exposition
(d) Denouement

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the narrator feel about the blind man’s visit in the beginning of the story?

2. What question does the blind man ask the narrator as the narrator begins drawing the cathedral in the story?

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

4. What do the narrator and his wife drink when they sit down to talk with the blind man after he’s arrived?

5. The narrator feels pity for the blind man when he considers that he lived with and loved his wife without ever having what?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is “minimalist fiction” and how does it apply to “Cathedral”?

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

6. What conversation does the narrator have with Robert regarding alcohol after Robert’s arrival?

7. How is the theme of transformation illustrated through the narrator’s wife in the story? When did her “transformation” take place with the blind man?

8. Why does the narrator apologize to Robert during their discussion after his wife’s fallen asleep?

9. 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?

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

(see the answer keys)

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