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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 does the narrator instruct the blind man to smoke the marijuana in the story?
(a) Don’t take too much
(b) Hold it as long as you can
(c) Inhale slowly
(d) Don’t punish yourself

2. How long ago does the narrator’s wife say she and her husband bought their sofa?
(a) 6 weeks ago
(b) 2 weeks ago
(c) 4 days ago
(d) 3 years ago

3. According to the narrator’s wife, how many people were in attendance at the blind man’s wedding?
(a) 4
(b) 2
(c) 17
(d) 25

4. The narrator states after the blind man’s arrival that he’d always thought what “were a must for the blind”?
(a) Dark glasses
(b) Scarves
(c) Walking poles
(d) Sandals

5. What is the blind man’s name in the story?
(a) Marcus
(b) Jacob
(c) Robert
(d) William

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. What are the first words that the blind man says to the narrator when he arrives?

4. Where is Travis A.F.B. located?

5. What does the narrator tell the blind man regarding the strength of the marijuana they are smoking?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does the narrator pity Beulah in the beginning of the story?

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

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

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

6. From what narrative perspective is the story told? How does this narrative style affect the reader?

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

8. How are the characters in “Cathedral” representative of Raymond Carver’s style?

9. What are the narrator’s first impressions of Robert after his arrival? How is Robert dressed?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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